Wuthrich’s grand slam powers Bobcats past Texas A&M

Texas State sophomore right fielder John Wuthrich smacked a grand slam over the left-field wall at Blue Bell Park in College Station to give the Bobcats a 5-0 lead over Texas A&M in the first inning. 

Texas State used Wuthrich’s first home run of the season to propel itself to a 5-3 win over the 10th-ranked Aggies on Tuesday. 

The Bobcats (21-12, 5-4 Sun Belt) made quick work of Texas A&M sophomore lefty Dustin Saenz. Texas State senior third baseman Jaylen Hubbard led off the first inning with a double. A sacrifice bunt from sophomore shortstop Dalton Shuffield advanced Hubbard to third. Saenz walked the next two Bobcats to load the bases. 

Saenz was called for a balk, which allowed Hubbard to score. Junior designated hitter Will Hollis walked to reload the base. Wuthrich ended Saenz’s day with his grand slam. Texas State exited the top of the first with a 5-0 lead. 

Texas A&M (25-9-1, 7-4-1 SEC) loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but Bobcat junior pitcher Garrett Herrmann worked his way out of the jam with two strikeouts and a groundout. 

The Aggies came out hot in the fourth inning with three consecutive singles from freshman designated hitter Joseph Menefee, senior center fielder Jonathan Ducoff and sophomore first baseman Aaron Walters, whose base hit brought home the first run of the game for Texas A&M. 

The Aggies cut Texas State’s lead to 5-3 with a sac-fly from junior second baseman Bryce Blaum and an RBI single by third baseman Chandler Morris. 

But the Bobcats held off the Aggies with a strong outing from their bullpen. Redshirt junior Brent Hebert earned the win for the Bobcats in relief. Texas State used all three of its weekend starters during Tuesday’s game. Senior Connor Reich pitched the seventh, junior Nick Fraze came in the eighth and redshirt sophomore Hunter McMahon finished the game with a save in the ninth. 

Texas State’s 5-3 win over Texas A&M marked the first win over the Aggies in College Station since April 11, 2006. 

Saenz was handed the loss for the hosts after giving up all five runs on two hits and three walks. 

Hollis tallied a Bobcat-high two hits and had one of Texas State’s four extra-base hits. Wuthirch’s grand slam was the first of his collegiate career. 

Texas State returns to Sun Belt play on Friday for the start of a three-game series against Georgia Southern at 5:30 p.m. in Statesboro, Ga.