May 9, 2008

Final Stats

Lake Charles, La. - Mike Hart pitched six shutout innings backed by three-consecutive home run innings to give the Texas State Bobcats an 8-2 win over McNeese State Friday night at Cowboy Diamond. The victory puts an end to the five-game losing streak and improves the `Cats to 15-10 in Southland Conference play.

Wild pitching gave the `Cats their first run after Tyler Davis hit Laurn Randell with one out in the first inning for a base runner. Paul Goldschmidt moved Randell to the scoring corner with a strong single to left center and Lance Loftin was issued a walk to load the bases. Davis unraveled on the mound and a passed ball sent Randell home to give Texas State a 1-0 edge.

The `Cats shot to a four-nothing lead after the sixth inning thanks to back-to-back home run frames. Goldschmidt powered his 16th of the season to lead-off the top of the fifth and Jason Martinson belted an 0-1 pitch over the Cowboy Diamond centerfield wall with Spenser Dennis on base to spread the `Cats margin.

Lance Loftin wanted a piece of the long-ball action and blasted his own 2RBI-homer in the top of the seventh. Goldschmidt reached on an error for State's base runner in the frame before the four-hole notched the hit.

The Cowboys tried for a rally and two base hits coupled with a Bobcat error nearly gave the foe a chance. But Aaron Taylor took the mound with two outs and two runs in to retire what represented the game-tying run.

With a 6-2 lead, Texas State tacked on a two-run cushion in the ninth to seal the victory. Aaron Fuller pinch hit for Martinson with Ben Theriot and Cody Gambill on base and singled up the middle to notch the final pair of RBI for the Maroon and Gold.

Adam Witek and Goldschmidt both notched a pair of hits against the Cowboys. The latter went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs to lead the `Cats at the plate.

Hart tossed 110 pitches in his 7.2 innings on the mound and held the Cowboys to just five hits on the night. Taylor was issued the save after shutting out the four batter faced in his 1.1 innings.

Davis took the loss for McNeese, allowing six runs to score off seven hits in the outing.

Texas State will play out game two tomorrow afternoon in Lake Charles. Steven Siers is scheduled to take the mound and first pitched is scheduled for 3 p.m.