Heading into game three of the weekend series with Southeastern Louisiana University, Texas State baseball started slowly but finished on top to steal a 4-3 winner over the Lions in San Marcos Saturday.
The slow-moving matinee matchup concluded a sweep of the Lions who came to town tied atop the Southland Conference standings. Head coach Ty Harrington and the boys now lead the conference with 13 wins and 5 losses, 2 games in front of Sam Houston State and UT-Arlington. SLU is tied with Lamar in fourth place at 10-8.
Brian Borski took the hill for the Cats to start and gave up three hits early, but was able to keep the attack at bay, prevent any scoring from the opponent. The Bobcats were held to one hit for the first two innings until freshman sensation Tyler Sibley spurred the offense in the bottom of the third, smoking a single to center field. Sibley reached second on a ground out by sophomore outfielder Bret Atwood, setting up an intentional walk to first base slugger Paul Goldschmidt. Designated hitter Keith Prestridge put a hurt on the 0-1 pitch, sending it to the top of the right field wall in a hurry, scoring both runners and giving the home-town favorites a 2-0 edge.
Borski surrendered a full count walk to Lion's outfielder Brandon Street to start the fourth frame. As it does, the base on balls came back to Borski as Street reached second on a passed ball and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
Freshman right hander Josh Janway pulled up chairs for 9 of 10 Bobcats, retiring all but Goldschmidt in the in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Goldschmidt was gifted a free base, and to that point the first baseman received 12 consecutive balls in three at-bats.
Borski seemed to have lost his mojo in the fifth, being pulled by the sixth inning. The usual third baseman Lance Loftin earned the call from the 'pen in the sixth inning, ending Boski's day. Big B concluded with 5 2/3 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on 9 hits, striking out 3.
To start the seventh, Martinson played back on a bouncing ball to short, forcing an errant throw in a failed attempt to nab the runner. Summerlin followed with a single to right, and Hargis knocked a bouncing ball to second baseman Kyle Livingston who erred on the catch at the waist, allowing Boudreaux to score from third and the Lions to take a 3-2 lead. With no outs, Loftin cooled off to throw out Street on a sacrifice bunt at first, and forced Cryer into a foul pop out.
In the eight inning, Goldschmidt came up for his fourth at bat to face new pitcher Cody Franklin who played third to start the game. Goldschmidt tagged one deep into the afternoon air, nearly to the top of the light pole in left, soaring all the way over the protective netting and onto the top of the wall on the Bobcat softball field. The solo blast was easily 400 feet in distance, but most importantly tied the ball game at 3 a piece.
Prestridge drew a 3-1 walk to follow, and Dennis dug in and walked out of the box after a first pitch change-up found its way into the left fielder's back. Kyle Kubitza walked to load the bases, and pinch hitter Ryan Theriot filled the count and drew a walk to send in the go ahead and eventual winning run.
Michael Russo earned his fifth save in the ninth, sending the bench out onto the field in celebration of the 4-3 win and series sweep. Borski recorded the no decision and Loftin effectively stole the win, his second of the season.
SLU knocked in 3 runs on 10 hits, inefficient to say the least if a team hopes to beat a murderers row-style line up of Texas State hitters. However, the Bobcats wouldn't give one such a confident impression after this game, even if efficiency is 100 percent at 4 runs on 4 hits. The Bobcats stranded 8 runners on the base paths, each time with a runner in scoring position, including a few runners at third.
The Bobcats continue the march to the post season when the boys host Houston Baptist Monday, Apr. 13. Texas State won the first match-up between the two with an 18-4 decision earlier this week. Pre-game airs live on TxStateBobcats.com at 6:15 p.m. and the first pitch for the game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Mason Robinson- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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