April 25, 2009

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - An RBI double from Spenser Dennis pushed Paul Goldschmidt across the plate for the final run of the afternoon, giving the Texas State Bobcats its third run rule victory this season, a 16-6 decision over the McNeese State Cowboys Saturday at Bobcat Field.

Texas State improves to 30-10 on the season, reaching its final win total from the 2008 season, and 17-5 in Southland Conference play. The win also extends the streak to 11th-straight games, a feat that has not been accomplished since 1991. McNeese State falls 19-10 overall and 8-15 in SLC play.

Before the game went out of reach for the Cowboys, the foe played the Bobcats tough to open the game. Bret Atwood scored in the bottom of the first when Andy Riche bobbled a ball in left field to give Texas State a 1-0 lead, but McNeese made up the error with a two-run homer from Taylor Freeman to take the lead.

Texas State responded in the bottom of the third with a three run inning for a 4-2 lead. Jason Martinson drew a leadoff walk and shifted to third when Bret Atwood drew chalk on a double to left. A sacrifice fly from Goldschmidt brought in the Martinson, but it was Keith Prestridge who tacked on the final pair of runs with a two-run homer to left field.

Both teams added a single run in the fourth and McNeese scrapped its way back in the game with a two-run home run from Riche in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5.

Texas State answered with its loaded offense to score six runs off five hits and take an 11-5 advantage in the bottom of the frame. On one out, the Bobcats tapped Tommy Luce for three-straight singles to add a run and the right-hander hit Kyle Livingstone to load the bases. Martinson kept the rally going with two-run single up the middle and with a pair of runners still on base, Tyler Sibley launched his eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field.

Tyler Brundridge took over for Tritz in the top of the sixth and retired the side for the first time in the game. Luce followed the lead and shut down Texas State in the sixth, but the Bobcat bats struck again in the bottom of the seventh for the run rule win.

Luce was given the loss for McNeese State and falls to 2-3.

Tritz was credited with his sixth win of the season.

Texas State recorded 15 hits in the contest, led by Atwood and Prestridge who both went 3-for-5 on the day.

The Bobcats will look to complete the sweep tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.