May 4, 2008

Final Stats

Nacogdoches, TX - Zach Tritz pitched his third complete game of the season and held Stephen F. Austin to just eight hits and three runs, but the Texas State Bobcats were edge by the foe after a seventh inning rally fell short, 3-2, at Jaycees Field Sunday afternoon.

The Bobcats fall to 14-10 in Southland Conference play with the loss and 24-22 overall. The last time Texas State was swept by a conference opponent was in 2001 when Louisiana-Monroe took three away from the `Cats.

Texas State took a different approach from the first two weekend contests and pounded out three hits in the first inning to jump on the board first. On one out, Adam Witek notched his second home run of the season on a solo blast to left field. Texas State backed the hit with a loaded diamond for Aaron Fuller, but on two outs the lefty was retired on a groundout to second base.

SFA answered back with its own run in the bottom of the first, sending Kevin Crabtree across after he reached on a base hit up the middle. The Jacks tacked on the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the fourth when Sean Meyers scored after reaching on a triple on a single through the left side.

Kai Kirby put SFA up 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, belting a single past Paul Goldschmidt. Kirby stole second base and scored when Kevin Crabtree knocked a double to left center.

SFA gave the `Cats a base runner to open the seventh inning after Laurn Randell was hit by a pitch. Kevin Thomas struggled on the mound and walked Ben Theriot. Witek hit into a fielder's choice that shifted Randell and a wild pitch brought him home. Down 3-2 with two outs, Texas State was handed the tying run when Thomas walked Goldschmidt, but held off the `Cats when he struck out Lance Loftin to retire the inning.

Tritz took the loss and fell to 8-2 overall. Loftin went 2-for-4 to head the Bobcats offense, the lone hitter to snag more than one hit.

The `Cats will stay on the road for a Tuesday contest at Rice. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.