Georgia Southern blanks Bobcats in series opener

Texas State began its three-game series against Georgia Southern with a 12-0 loss inside J.I. Clemens Stadium in Statesboro, Ga. on Friday. 

The Eagles (20-14, 8-5 Sun Belt) plated four runs in the first inning thanks to an RBI double from sophomore second baseman Nolan Tressler and a 3-run home run by junior right fielder Mason McWhorter. 

The game later went into a lightning delay that lasted for nearly two hours. The game resumed in the bottom of the third, where the Eagles plated two more runs to grab a 5-0 advantage.

Georgia Southern added a run in the sixth when freshman third baseman Blake Evans recorded an RBI single. The Eagles exploded for five more runs in the seventh inning. Sophomore shortstop Austin Thompson hit an RBI double, two wild pitches scored McWhorter and Thompson, an RBI groundout from Evans added another run and an error allowed Georgia Southern’s 12th run to cross the plate. 

Texas State (21-13, 7-6) couldn’t bring home a run and suffered the 12-0 loss. Senior catcher Felipe Rodriguez, sophomore shortstop Dalton Shuffield and junior second baseman Jaxon Williams tallied the lone hits for the Bobcats. Senior third baseman Jaylen Hubbard, sophomore right fielder John Wuthrich and redshirt senior center fielder Skyler Valentine also got on base. 

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Hunter McMahon took the loss. McMahon struck out five in four innings but allowed six runs on six hits. 

Junior Seth Shuman earned the win on the mound with seven scoreless inning with eight strikeouts. 

 Texas State and Georgia Southern resumed their series on Saturday. The game ended after press time. Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.