March 21, 2009

Final Stats

Beaumont, Texas - The Texas State Bobcats rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to overcome the Cardinals edge and took a 4-2 victory over Lamar Saturday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Texas State improves to 11-8 overall and 5-3 in the Southland Conference, while Lamar falls to 16-6 and 5-3, respectively.

Lamar contained Texas State to just one run heading into the top of the ninth, but on one out the team used three hits to take over the game. Kyle Kubitza initiated the comeback with an infield single to third base before Laurn Randell replaced him on the base paths. The junior came rushing home on the next at-bat when pinch hitter Spenser Dennis belted a double to centerfield for the RBI.

Tied 2-2, Tyler Sibley singled up the middle to bring Dennis home for the go-ahead run and quickly shifted to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Bret Atwood. Working on one out, junior Paul Goldschmidt was not finished and tacked on the final run of the inning with a double down the right line to plate Sibley.

Senior reliever Lance Loftin retired the Cardinal first two batters in the bottom of ninth, but a single and a fielder's choice that followed put the tying runs on base. However, Loftin got Brian Taylor to strike out to close out the win.

Loftin earned his first win of the season with the decision. The right-hander pitched 3.2 innings and surrendered just one hit, while striking out four batters.

Kane Holbrooks opened the game and tossed 5.1 innings and allowed six hits and just one earned run, while fanning five batters.

Brian Needham was issued the loss after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing three runs off six hits.

Keith Prestridge went 3-for-5 to lead Texas State at the plate, including a solo RBI that gave Texas State the early lead.

Goldschmidt, who went 2-for-4, scored in the top of the third off the designated hitter's to give the Bobcats the early lead.

Lamar answered the single run in the bottom of the frame and took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Taylor and Steven Tucker notched a pair of hits to lead the Cardinals at the plate.

The final game of the series is set for 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.