April 1, 2009
Final Stats
Waco, Texas -
Caleb Ramos
It's been four years since the Texas State Bobcats staked a victory over the Baylor Bears and Wednesday night the team did it again. Tyler Brundridge and company held the seventh-ranked team to just six hits, while Bret Atwood went 3-for-4 to lead the offense in a 5-3 victory at Baylor Ballpark.
Texas State`s last win over Baylor came Mar. 22, 2005 in a 12-0 decision at Bobcat Field. The Bobcats improve to 17-9 on the season, while the Bears drop to 17-8.
Brundridge was credited with his first win of the season after entering in the sixth and facing just 10 batters. The senior grabbed three strikeouts, including one in the seventh en route to retiring the side, and allowed just one hit and one run.
Texas State jumped to the early lead in the top of the first when Paul Goldschmidt grounded out scoring Atwood following his triple down the left field line.
Matt Steiner dismissed the side in Baylor's half of the frame to maintain the edge. The right-hander returned for back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the second and with a threatening pair of runners on base, Steiner struck out Brooks Kimmey looking to escape the inning.
Texas State stretched its lead to 2-0 when Tyler Sibley homered to left field to lead off the third inning.
Steiner closed out the night tossing 4.0 innings, allowing three hits and two runs, both earned in the no-decision. The tally came in the bottom of the fourth when Kimmey retaliated with a two-RBI single through the left side to know the game at 2-2.
The Bobcats responded in the top of the fifth with an RBI single up the middle from Keith Prestridge. The designated hitter drove in Atwood who beat out a bunt down the third base line to reach and then scored two batters later on a shot to centerfield from Ben Theriot.
Lance Loftin tacked on the Bobcats final run in the seventh, following up a double from Spenser Dennis to notch an RBI with a base hit through the right side.
The Bears tried to claw their way back into the game in the eighth when shortstop Shaver Hansen solo homered to right center, closing the gap to 5-3.
Michael Russo closed out the contest, securing the Bobcat victory while earning his third save of the season.
The Bobcats will take the win and move on to Southland Conference action this weekend in a three-game series beginning Friday in Conway, Ark. against the Central Arkansas Bears.
