May 8, 2009

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SAN MARCOS - Ben Theriot proved to be Texas State's saving grace Friday night at Bobcat Field, knocking in the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth before belting a walk-off two-run home run to give the Bobcats an 11-9 extra-inning victory over the Nicholls Colonels.

Down 9-8 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Jason Martinson led off the frame with a base hit to third that rushed passed Zach Tisdale. A sacrifice bunt from Kyle Livingstone shifted him to second base and Theriot, who was 0-for-3 on the night, slapped a long double to the right center gap to plate Martinson for the tying run.

Nicholls fought back on two outs in the top of the tenth with a single up the middle from Chris Murrill, but Theriot and Martinson connected again for the putout on Murrill's attempt to steal second to hold off the threat.

Michael Russo retired the side in Nicholls portion of the eleventh frame and Texas State's bats went to work. Lance Loftin, who finished the night 2-for-5 with three runs scored, led off the inning with a base hit through the left side and moved to second on a familiar sac bunt routine. Livingstone grounded out to third base for the second out, but Theriot needed just one pitch to belt his sixth home run of the season for the victory.

Nicholls built a 6-0 lead over Texas State by the top of the third inning that Texas State recoverd from with three runs in the third and a four-run fourth led by a three-run homer from Loftin.

The Colonels tacked on a single run in the fourth through sixth innings to take the 9-8 edge, but winning pitcher Tyler Brundridge slowed the foe in his four-inning stint on the mound. Brundridge (4-1) allowed just three hits and one unearned run while striking out a career-high seven batters.

Russo was credited with his sixth save of the season, tossing two complete innings and holding the Colonels scoreless on just one hit.

Nicholls shuffled through seven pitchers in the contest and closer Ross Larson was dealt the loss, falling to 1-6 on the season.

Texas State managed 12 hits and committed four errors early in the contest. Atwood and Tyler Sibley joined Theriot and Loftin with a pair of hits on the night. Nicholls was led by Murrill with a 3-for-5 night and three runs scored.

Texas State improves to 21-6 in Southland Conference action, while Nicholls drops to 8-20. The Bobcats need to sweep the series with the Colonels to clinch first place in the conference.

Tomorrow's game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. with Zach Tritz slated to take the mound.