May 14, 2009

Final Stats

Arlington, Texas - Kyle Kubitza led off the top of the tenth inning with a solo blast to right field and Tyler Sibley hit an RBI single three batters later to give the 25th-ranked Texas State Bobcats an extra-inning boost and an 8-6 victory over UT Arlington Thursday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.

With a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, Justin McPherson dropped a base hit into centerfield that was misplayed and rounded the diamond to third base to give the Mavericks a chance at a comeback. Lance Loftin struck out Ryan Davis to hold the runner, but Jay Pitschka laid down a sacrifice bunt to plate the game-tying run.

UTA picked up two quick outs in the Bobcats top half of the ninth, but Paul Goldschmidt beat out a single to short to put the game-winning run on base. Spenser Dennis walked to shift Goldschmidt into scoring position, but Loftin was retired on strikes to hold off the threat.

It was the Mavericks turn to knock off the league leader and Michael Choice took on the task with a leadoff double down the right line. Matt Otteman hit a fielder's choice to the shortstop and Choice ran straight into the play for the putout at third. Loftin struck out the final two batters and Texas State's tenth-inning rally from the pair of freshman bats paid off.

The Bobcats took the early lead with three-straight two-run innings, starting in the second and highlighted by a solo homer from Jason Martinson in the top of the fourth.

UTA fought back with three-straight scoring innings of their own, putting a single run across in the third through fifth frames, before the two-run comeback in the seventh.

Pitschka led the Mavericks 10 hits with a 3-for-4 outing at the plate with two RBI.

Sibley finished 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI to lead the Bobcats.

Loftin pitched 2 2/3 innings and picked up his third win of the season, allowing just two hits and one unearned run on the night.

Texas State improves to 38-13 on the season and 24-6 in Southland Conference action, while UTA falls to 28-24 and 18-13, respectively.

Game Two of the series is scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m. at the Ballpark.