Feb. 19, 2010
Final Stats
Houston, Texas - Kyle Livingstone hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to give Texas State a four-run cushion, and the Bobcats closed out Friday night's home opener against the Houston Cougars with a 6-0 victory at Cougar Field.
Texas State opens with a 1-0 start to the 2010 season and takes its ninth overall win over the Houston ball club.
Livingstone, alongside Jason Martinson, Jordan Kopycinski and Kyle Kubitza combined for Texas State five hits. Kubitza went 2-for-4 with a single RBI to lead the team.
Michael Russo pitched 6.0 complete innings to pick up the opening night win for the Bobcats. Russo allowed just four hits and struck out four batters, as well.
In the top of the fifth, Texas State put its first mark on the board when Kubitza opened the inning with a single to left field. The sophomore moved to second base after Houston starter Michael Goodnight balked, but was nearly left stranded after the next two Bobcats were retired off strikes. Goodnight hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and walked another to follow and advanced Kubitza to third base, loading the bases.
William Kankel replaced the starter on the mound, but walked in a pair of runs before the inning was over to give Texas State the lead.
On two outs in the following frame, Livingstone notched his first homer of the season and knocked in Kubitza, who doubled to left center to reach base, and pushed the Bobcats ahead, 4-0. Texas State tacked on its final run of the game in the top of the sixth on an RBI groundout from Daniel Neumann.
Carson Smith relieved Russo in the final three frames, allowed the Cougars two hits and struck out three in his 11 batters faced.
Houston committed four errors in tonight's game, and Goodnight was handed the loss.
Tomorrow's game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start at Cougar Field. Right-handed senior Garret Carruth is set to take the mound for the Bobcats, and will be facing off with southpaw Ty Stuckey.
Gametracker will be available via Houston's web-site, www.uhcougars.com.
