Bobcats Blow Late Lead, Suffer Soul-Crushing Loss to Boston College

With only three outs left to go and the game in hand, the Texas State Bobcat relief pitching gave up six runs to the Boston College Eagles in the top of the 9th handing the Cats a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to start the 2009 NCAA Austin Regional.

Going into Friday's match-up between the number two seeded Bobcats and the number three seeded Eagles, both teams knew that the pitching would be crucial in the opening game because both squads brought power to the plate. Texas State was able to escape the power Boston College brought through the first eight innings of the ball game with Kane Holbrooks pitching a solid 7.0 innings worth while only giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs. On the other hand, the Eagles pitching struggled throughout the game putting a slew of four pitchers to the mound through eight innings.

The Bobcat got rocking early like they've done all season long by putting put one run in the 1st. Tyler Sibley was the man to cross the plate in the first and Ty Harrington's small ball seemed to be working in full force. Starting pitcher for the Eagles JB MacDonald settled down on the mound but never really kept the Cats from tacking up more runs. The Bobcats had several consistent innings putting up 1 run in the 4th, 2 runs in the 6th and 1 more run in the 7th inning before head Coach Mike Aioke decided Mac Donald's day was over.

The Cats led 5-2 going into the eighth when Tyler Brundridge came into the game to relieve Holbrooks on his excellent outing. Brundridge inherited a runner on first but was able to get the next three batters out, putting Texas State only three outs away to advance in the winners column of the Austin regional.

After the Bobcats couldn't muster any more insurance runs in the 8th inning, head Coach Ty Harrington decided to keep Brundridge in to close the game in the 9th. With the way Brundridge has pitched all season, it was hard to argue the choice from Harrington knowing the Brundridge has consistently been the most dominant relief pitcher the Cats have had all season. What took place in the top of the 9th was just unfathomable to even predict.

Brundridge took the mound to face the number six hole hitter for the Eagles Barry Butera (who had already committed two defensive errors on the day). Butera singled to start the inning off right for Boston College. At this point you're thinking Brundridge wouldn't give up two hits in a row... Before most Bobcat fans could even finish that thought Andrew Lawrence hit another single off of Brundridge. Nothing too damaging but with a runner now in scoring position and no outs in the top of the 9th, things were on the verge of getting worse... and they did.

The next batter Mike Sudol, who had been 0 for 3 on the game so far, decided to hit a shot to the right field corner to score in a run as well as giving himself a stand up double. With still no outs in the top of the 9th, Harrington made the call to bring in the Bobcats closer Michael Russo. Russo, who usually comes in to start the 9th inning, came into a situation that was a little more tricky. Two runners on the base pads and the go ahead run at the plate for the Eagles. The score was 5-3 and Russo desperately needed to get an out for the Cats with the nine whole batter coming up to the plate for the Eagles. Russo made John Spatola foul a couple of balls but it was the third pitch for Russo that Spatola sent over the right field wall to give the Eagles a 6-5 lead, with still no outs!

With Holbrooks' school record setting 11th win taken from him, Russo had to just focus and get the three outs. But the Eagles weren't done just yet. They managed to tack on two more runs with a single from their lead off hitter, who had gone 0 for 4 on the day up until that point. That lead off hitter was scored home by a double by arguably the Eagles best hitter Tony Sanchez, who had also gone 0 for 4 on the day up until that point. Sanchez would eventually brought home on a single RBI by the ninth batter of the top of the 9th inning. The Bobcats managed to get the last out, but the damage was done with Texas State needing three runs to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th.

Bret Atwood singled off of Boston College's closer to start off the bottom of the 9th. Some life started to enter back into the Bobcat fans at the Disch in Austin, TX. Next batter Paul Goldschmidt, who was due for a hit, smacked a towering home run over the left field wall giving the Cats two more runs. Now only down by one run, no outs in the bottom of the 9th, Texas State fans were salivating for a comeback victory. Adam Witek pinched hit and got on base with still no outs. Harrington played small ball with Witek's speed on the bases sacrificing Spenser Dennis' bat to move Witek into scoring position. Ben Theriot's at bat didn't last long as he didn't wait to long to hit a fly out to left field, keeping Witek on second. Senior utility man Lance Loftin came up to the plate in what is every kids dream. Two outs in the bottom of the 9th, down one run, a full count, and you are the winning run. Lance swung for the fences but couldn't make contact as the game ended in a stomach wrenching loss.

This loss sends the Bobcats into a tough situation to come out of successfully. With the double elimination NCAA Regional, the Cats will have to beat Army in order to keep their national championship hopes alive. Texas State is set to take the diamond at Noon on Saturday against Army, who is coming off a 3-1 loss against Texas. You can listen to all the live action on 89.9 KTSW and txstatebobcats.com starting with the pre-game show thirty minutes prior to the first pitch.

James McNeal- KTSW Sports Staff Writer