April 13, 2008

Final Stats

Hammond, La. - An eight-run first inning proved too much for the Texas State Bobcats to overcome and Southeastern Louisiana handed the `Cats a 16-9 loss at Alumni Field Sunday afternoon.

Texas State falls to 10-5 in Southland Conference play and 18-14 overall. Southeastern improves to 18-1 and 8-7, respectively.

Ty Summerlin drew a walk in the bottom of the first and SLU had two runners on after a fielding error from Lance Loftin. Xavier Qualls knocked a single to score Summerlin and give SLU the first mark of the afternoon. With two outs, the Lions posted four-straight hits for three runs and loaded the bases for Cass Hargis. Hargis doubled the Lions tally with a grand slam to right centerfield, 8-0.

The `Cats fought back with a trio of scoring innings, but Southeastern's bats never slowed. A pair of base hits from Adam Witek and Jerry Cervantes opened the second inning to score Loftin, who reached on a lead-off walk. Witek stole third and raised the tally to two off a hard-hitting infield single from Jason Martinson.

SLU tacked on another run in the bottom of the inning and Texas State opened the third with a triple to right centerfield from Elliott Babcock. Laurn Randell struck out swinging on the next play, but reached on a wild pitch that also allowed Babcock to score. Paul Goldschmidt continued the rally with a base hit to left field, shifting Randell to the scoring corner and ground out sent him home, trimming the lead 9-4.

The Bobcats held the Lions in the closing half and added one more run in the fourth. With two outs, Thomas Field took a 3-2 single through the left side and rounded the bases on a Babcock double to left center. Southeastern answered with its own tally in the bottom of the fifth and their bats stayed hot for three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Trailing 16-5 entering the seventh, Goldschmidt erupted at the plate for a two-run homer over the right field wall. Martinson mimicked the feat in the eighth frame, plating Ben Theriot who reached on a walk, for Texas State's final score.

The Bobcats posted 13 hits against the Lions and left nine on base in the effort. SLU rapped out 21 hits to aid the victory.

Babcock went 3-for-4 to head Texas State at the plate, scoring two runs and earning a single RBI. Goldschmidt also added three hits in the outing.

Zach Tritz was dealt his first loss of the season, falling to a 6-1 mark. Tritz allowed ten runs, two of which were earned off 11 hits in his three innings on the mound. The Bobcats shuffled through five arms before the tilt ended.

Ryan Collins shifts to 5-2 after today's win. Collins pitched five innings for the Lions and allowed four runs off seven hits.

The Bobcats will be back in action Tuesday night at Bobcat Field. The team will host back-to-back contests with Texas-Pan American and both games are scheduled for 6 p.m. starts.