April 15, 2006

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Jared Bunn went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored as Texas State survived a ninth-inning scare from Dallas Baptist to beat the Patriots 9-7 in Saturday's series finale at Bobcat Field.

Dallas Baptist (23-15) scored three runs in the ninth and had the bases loaded with two outs, but the Patriots were shut down when David Wood forced a ground out to end the game.

The win was the third-straight for Texas State (19-20), who steps back into conference play next weekend after a pair of non-conference contests this week.

The Bobcats scored in the first inning for the second time in the series, starting with Bunn reaching with one out on a hit-by-pitch. Bunn moved to second on a passed ball, and Luke Cannon drew a one-out walk to leave runners at first and second.

Cody Merrell hit a soft ground ball at Matt Tucker who flipped to first, but the throw got past Israel Victor, scoring Bunn. Wood followed to put the Bobcats up 2-0 with an RBI ground ball to first that scored Cannon.

DBU inched closer in the second, as Tucker blasted a solo shot to left-center, but the `Cats would again go up by two due to DBU fielding issues in the bottom of the second.

Thomas Field put down a sacrifice bunt with Lance Schramm at first, and Patriot pitcher Jordan Craft's throw sailed over Victor. Schramm was put out at the plate on Drew Holder's throw from right, but Field would score two batters later on Bunn's RBI single into right.

Dallas Baptist again slashed the `Cat lead to one in the fourth on a Victor sacrifice fly to center, but the Bobcats held off the DBU charge with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Field scored from third on a one-out wild pitch to put Texas State up 4-2.

The Patriots finally managed to tie the game in the fifth inning when with two outs, Holder hit a ground ball at Field, who threw the ball into the DBU dugout. The error plated Jeremy Goldschmeding from third and Austin Krum from first, knotting the game at 4-4.

Texas State broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth, starting with one-out singles by Pat Crumpton and Schramm.

Schramm was put out on a Field ground ball at second base, and after a Cassidy Dresch walk loaded the bases, Crumpton crossed when Bunn drew an RBI, bases-loaded walk to put Texas State ahead 5-4.

Cannon followed with a two-out single through the right side that scored both Dresch and Field, but was put out on the play in a run-down that ended the inning with the Bobcats up 7-4.

Heath Keel added to the Texas State lead in the seventh with a solo home run over the center field wall, and in the eighth, Bunn produced his third RBI of the game with a single to right that scored Dresch and put the Bobcats on top 9-4.

Dallas Baptist would make its final surge in the ninth, starting with a one-out line drive to right by Will Stramp. DBU catcher Brad Boles then singled with two outs, and Krum drew a walk to load the bases for Cody Montgomery.

Montgomery singled to right for DBU's first ninth-inning run, and Goldschmeding followed with a hit that put DBU within three, 9-6.

After Wood came on in relief of Mike Hart, Holder drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 9-7, but Wood regrouped to put out Tucker for his first save in a Bobcat uniform.

B.J. Boening got the win for the Bobcats, tossing the sixth inning with two strike outs to improve to 2-1, while Michael Gardner (1-4) took the loss for DBU after surrendering four runs in three relief innings.

Four Bobcats had with two-hit outings, and Field scored three times in a 2-for-3 outing. Keel, Cannon and Bunn each produced RBIs in two-hit performances, while Schramm recorded his first two collegiate hits in the win.

Texas State continues non-conference play Tuesday, when the Bobcats travel to Baylor Ballpark in Waco for a 6 p.m. contest against the Bears. Texas State returns home Wednesday for its final non-conference game before returning to SLC action, as the `Cats take on St. Edwards at 6:30 p.m.