Feb. 23, 2008

Final Stats

Edinburg, Tx. - The Texas State Bobcats entered the ninth inning tied 1-1 with two outs and Adam Witek shut down all threats of back-to-back extra-framed contests with a single shot to right field, plating Spenser Dennis for the game-winning run over Illinois in Game Two of the Al Ogletree Classic in Edinburg, Texas.

The Bobcats are now a perfect 2-0 in their non-conference slate, while the Fighting Illini split their record 1-1 with the loss.

Texas State opened with the first mark on the board in the fourth inning. With one out, Laurn Randell doubled to left field with slugger Paul Goldschmidt next in line. Mike Stankiewicz sent the sophomore to the dugout on a strikeout, but Ben Theriot doubled down the right field line on the next set to score Randell. Lance Loftin followed, but struck out looking to retire the inning.

The `Cats held on to the advantage for three next three innings, but Illinois threatened a rally in the top of the seventh inning. Aaron Johnson singled to left field and Mike Giller walked to shift the bases. Siers struck out Joe Bonadonna, but struggled at the mound walking Kyle Hudson to load the bases. Ty Harrington signaled the pitching change and Kane Holbrook's closed out the inning with three Illini left on base.

The next chance at bat, Illinois would be successful and score their lone run of the game. Ryan Hastings reached first on a walk and shifted to second base on a wild pitch. John Schleicher doubled to right center for the follow-up to plate Hasting, but Randell gunned in the ball for the out at third base.

Dennis pinched for Bret Atwood with two outs after Jon Farrow popped up to short stop and Elliott Babcock grounded out to third base. The junior transfer reached on an error by Schleicher at third base and moved to second on a wild pitch, finally scoring on Witek's single.

Josh Walter earned his second win of the season throwing a two-strikeout single inning. Steven Siers opened for the Bobcats, hurling 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits but striking out three Illini.

Witek went 2-5 and earned one RBI in the victory and Goldschmidt went 2-4 for the next best mark. Stankiewicz pitched 6.0 innings for the Fighting Illini allowing six hits and striking out four Bobcats. Nick Chmielewski took the loss in the game, pitching 2.2 innings allowing three hits and the game-winning run.