March 12, 2010
Final Stats
SAN MARCOS - Texas State scored in all but two innings, rapped out 15 hits and capitalized on as many walks issued by Penn State's pitching staff, all leading to a 20-6 rout of the Nittany Lions Friday night at Bobcat Field.
Texas State (6-6) is set to take the series with tonight's win, while Penn State (4-6) falls in their fifth-straight game with the loss.
Michael Russo earned his second win of the season after a six-inning stay on the mound. The senior allowed nine hits, four runs and four walks, while striking out five batters.
Travis Ballew made his Bobcat debut in relief and allowed a pair of runs off five hits in a two-inning stint. Matt Steiner closed out the victory on the hill, throwing a perfect ninth with one strikeout for his first appearance in 2010.
"We did some things early and I was pleased," said head coach Ty Harrington. "but Penn State is just as good as any team we've played this year. I think we saw a team that was coming off two games against Texas A&M, and that will wear anyone down."
The Bobcats took advantage of the fatigued squad and put three runs on the board early with a two-run homer from Kyle Livingstone, paired with an RBI single from Shaun Garcia in the bottom of the first. Texas State tacked on one more in the second to take a 4-0 lead over PSU.
After holding the Bobcats scoreless in the third, PSU clawed back into the game on a three-run homer in the top of the fourth from Joey DeBernardis, but Texas State shut down the rally in a big way.
Sixteen runs came across the plate for the Bobcats over the next four innings, highlighted by a grand slam from Andrew Stumph in the bottom of the seventh. The freshman thumped his second-career home run with the feat, his lone hit of the night.
Livingstone went 4-for-5 with three RBI, while Garcia brought in a trio of runs off one hit. Garcia was walked five times in tonight's outing and scored twice.
Bret Atwood rapped out three hits, while Tyler Sibley and Kyle Kubitza added a pair towards the Bobcats multi-hit night.
PSU finished with 14 hits, led by DeBernardis' 2-for-5 effort with three RBI.
Tomorrow's game against the Nittany Lions is set for a 2 p.m. start.
