Bobcats Prevail in Game 1 Against the Islanders

The Bobcats certainly started things off right for conference play against the A&M Corpus Christi Islanders on Friday with a 5-3 win. The game took place on a clear Texas night at our very own Bobcat Field. Before things got underway, I had a chance to sit down and interview Coach Harrington. He told me that the Bobcats are very well prepared for the extremely tough schedule they have ahead of them. He also stated that for every game the boys would “live in the moment and not let anything go to chance.” The ‘Cats certainly “lived in the moment” and took a heartbreaker away from the Islanders.

With the hot arm of Michael Russo on the mound, the game looked all but over for A&MCC before things even started. With the Bobcats No. 2 overall pitching stats, fans knew they were in for a treat. However, the Islanders came into San Marcos with the second best batting average in Southland. With power hitters such as Chris Vergne, Omar Garcia, and the National Hitter of the Week Trey Hernandez, Texas State certainly faced their first test of Conference play. Russo got off to a rough start by giving up two runs in the first inning. The Bobcats were able to answer with their at bat with a run of their own. With the score being Islanders 2-1, going back to the mound seemed a burden for Russo. However, Russo handled the adversity very well as he went on to shut out the Islanders through almost 8 innings of play, until being pulled in the eight from giving up a run. Russo went back to the dugout with certainly something to smile about: 8 total strikeouts and an impressive 2.29 era to finish the night with.

The story of the night for both Texas State and A&M Corpus Christi was good pitching. For six straight innings, both teams were scoreless. With a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Islanders seemed to have victory within their grasp. However, the Bobcats had other plans in mind. With a two run single by Kyle Livingstone, Texas State was able to tie the game with two outs remaining. Livingstone was able to advance to second by a wild pitch from Pena. A bizarre attempt tag from Pena allowed Kyle Kubitza to single scoring in Livingstone and giving Texas State the lead. The Bobcats were able to take a 5-3 lead after a single down the middle from Jason Martinson. Garret Carruth was perfect on the night for pitching and secured the win.

Following the game, I asked Coach Harrington how Michael Russo was able to completely shut out Trey Hernandez and the rest of the powerful hitting staff of the Islanders. He responded by saying if he had confidence in the talent of his pitcher. He knew Russo was going to come out and take care of business. Russo was certainly the hero of the game as Texas State improves to 4-4 overall and now 1-0 in Southland Conference play. The Bobcats will continue their three-game series against the Islanders on Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 1 pm, you can listen to Sunday's game on txstatebobcats.com.

-Tyler Thomason, KTSW Sports Staff Writer