April 10, 2009

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Zach Tritz pitched a solid eight innings, surrendering just three runs on five hits and picked up his fifth win of the season as the Texas State Bobcats defeated Southeastern Louisiana 9-3 at Bobcat Field Friday night.

Texas State is now 22-10 on the season and 12-5 in Southland Conference action, two games ahead of league competition in first place. SLU falls to 20-12 and 10-7, respectively.

The Bobcats bats came to life in the bottom of the second after a single from Lance Loftin was followed by a home run to right field by Ben Theriot. Tyler Sibley and Bret Atwood both reached base in their at-bats that followed and the damage did not stop there. Paul Goldschmidt launched a three-run homer to left field to bring the pair home and give the Bobcats a 5-0 start.

Tritz blanked the Lions in the third and fourth inning and allowed just one hit in the top of the fifth. But after a single through the right side, Joe Sparacino was held on at first as the right-hander retired the next three batters to hold off the threat.

Meanwhile, Texas State rapped out back-to-back hits in the bottom of the frame after Spenser Dennis drew a leadoff walk to add on to the fire. Brandon Efferson walked Jason Martinson to load the bases and tossed a wild pitch that gave Loftin room to score for a 7-0 Texas State lead.

Kyle Livingstone notched an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth and the Bobcats wrapped up scoring in the seventh with an RBI single from Goldschmidt.

SLU's sparked its three runs and three hits in the seventh and eighth frames. Down 9-1 in the top of the eighth, Brian McCants notched a two-run double for a slight comeback, but Texas State's lead was out of reach.

Tritz improved to 5-2 on the season and collected four strikeouts in the victory.

Tyler Brundridge closed out the ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts in his 17 appearance this season.

Theriot went 2-for-3 with two runs score and three RBIs to aid the Bobcats. Goldschmidt, Livingstone and Loftin also grabbed a pair of hits.

Texas State will look to grab the sweep in tomorrow's game. Saturday is set for 1p.m. first pitch at Bobcat Field.