May 16, 2008

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Bradley Chovanec and company rationed the Texas State Bobcats to just five hits Friday night at Bobcat Field to aid in a combined 3-0 shutout of game two of the I-35 rivalry three-game series. With the loss Texas State falls to 18-11 in Southland Conference competition, while UTSA rises to 22-7.

The fray on the mound began when Chovanec retired the side in the bottom of the first and faced just four batters in the `Cats half of the second to retain the scoreless contest.

Zach Tritz kept his slate clean in the top two frames as well, leaving both Roadrunners stranded on the base paths that reached on hits spread between the innings. But in the top of the third, James Keithley followed a lead-off walk to Phillip Allen with a double down the left line to put a pair of runners on and Tim Palincsar sent the first run across with a RBI-fielder's choice to short.

Down 1-0, Chovanec handed Texas State the tying run after hitting Aaron Fuller to lead off the bottom half of the third. Bret Atwood shifted him to second with a sacrifice bunt down the left line and a wild pitch from the mound put Fuller on the scoring corner. But the Bobcats chance came up short on one out when UTSA retired the next two batters to maintain the lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ben Theriot attempted a comeback with a two-out single to left field and Elliott Babcock followed suit with a base hit through the right side, but both runners were left stranded to close out the inning.

UTSA took a 2-0 edge in the top of the sixth when Michael Rockett belted his tenth home run of the season to left field to lead of the frame.

Kane Holbrooks took the mound in the seventh inning and retired the side in the seventh and eighth frame, tossing out four strikeouts to the Roadrunners at the plate. Meanwhile, the `Cats were still searching for a response to the 2-0 deficit and sophomore Theriot opened a second hole with a single laced up the middle to start off the seventh. With one out, Spenser Dennis mimicked the shot to put the tying run on base, but Chovance shut down the `Cats again, leaving the pair stranded.

The `Runners tacked on its final run in the top of the ninth when Powell scored on a single after reaching on a lead-off base hit.

Texas State left eight runners on base, three of which were held at third base. Theriot and Dennis led the `Cats with a pair of hits apiece and Babcock chipped in a 1-for-3 outing.

Tritz was dealt the loss, despite a four-hit two-run five innings. The hurler falls to 9-3 on the season.

Chovanec shifts to 9-3 with the win and Zach Calhoon earned his 13th save of the season with the win.

Texas State will close out the contest tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. at Bobcat Field. Head coach Ty Harrington will hold a Senior Appreciation ceremony before first pitch.