May 23, 2009

Final Stats

Corpus Christi, Texas - Bret Atwood went 3-for-6 to lead the Texas State baseball team at the plate, including a walk-off three-run homer, his first of the season, to seal a 13-2 run rule victory over Lamar Friday night at the Southland Conference Tournament. The win places Texas State in the Championship game tomorrow night at 6 p.m. against Sam Houston State.

Texas State quickly took a 7-0 lead after putting up six runs in the bottom of the second. Kyle Kubitza drew a leadoff walk and Jason Martinson moved the runner with a base hit down the left line. Bret Atwood hit into a fielder's choice that retired Martinson, but notched the RBI when Sibley crossed home. With one out, Cardinal shortstop Jeremiah Sammy let Paul Goldschmidt's ball slip right past him giving Kubitza and Atwood plenty of time to score. Back-to-back singles from Keith Prestridge and Spenser Dennis plated Goldschmidt and forced the Cardinals to go to the bullpen. Brian Needham took the mound, but Ben Theriot and Kyle Livingstone belted the fresh arm for a pair of RBI and Texas State's lead.

"We felt that if we could get something offensively early, we could put the momentum in our dugout," said head coach Ty Harrington. "We did a great job in the second inning of scoring some runs and stringing together some hits to take advantage of opportunities."

With the Bobcats offense set in, Zach Tritz continued to work from the mound. Tritz held Lamar to four scoreless frames before they broke through for a single run in the fifth.

"I thought (Zach) Tritz put on a brilliant senior performance," added Harrington. "He put up zeroes early in the game and it was important for him to keep doing that to maintain the lead."

Tritz improved to 8-2 with the win, working 6 1/3 with just two runs scored off nine hits and five strikeouts on the day.

Texas State put up two runs in the sixth and answered a solo run from Lamar in the seventh with one of their own for a 10-2 edge. After blanking the `Cards in the top of the eighth, Texas State closed out the semi-final game all on two outs. Martinson and Sibley set the stage with a pair of walks and Atwood followed up on his first pitch to deep right center for the game-winning hit.

Each Bobcat managed a hit in Texas State's 15-hit tally. Lamar put up 10 hits on the night.

Chris Dunkin led the Cardinals with a 3-for-3 outing.

Tomorrow's game will be aired on the Southland Conference Television Network. Fans can also follow on 89.9 FM as well as through live stats on www.txstatebobcats.com.