May 21, 2010

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SAN MARCOS - The Texas State baseball team had its series opening run rule victory contested in tonight's meeting with UT Arlington when Rett Varner tossed a seven-hit shutout for the Mavericks and held the Bobcats scoreless for just the second time in Southland Conference play this season, all leading to a 6-0 dropped decision to the foe Friday night at Bobcat Field.

The Bobcats fell to 33-20 overall and 22-10 in the league. Despite the loss, the Bobcats still lead the standings with another Northwestern State win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Varner finished his third complete game of the season with four strikeouts and improved to 7-5. A leadoff home run from Jesse Payne put the Mavericks on the board and Varner took over from the mound to shut down Texas State. After allowing a leadoff double to Tyler Sibley in the first, the right-hander retired the side and repeated the feat in the second and third frame.

A two-run single in the sixth took advantage of Bobcat error to give UTA a 3-0 lead and Preston Beck launched a three-run home run in the top of the eighth to give the Mavericks its six-run edge.

Texas State showed sparks of a comeback in the top of the fourth with a pair of lead off singles from Bret Atwood and Kyle Kubitza. Atwood stole third to put runners on the corners, but a double play followed by a groundout ended the threat. The Bobcats hit into the third double play of night in the fifth after getting Andrew Stumph on with a base hit into right field. Two more hits were scattered in the seventh and eighth, but Varner's hold stood strong.

Russo (4-2) was handed the loss. In 7.1 innings, the senior allowed five runs, three of which were earned off six hits while striking out seven batters.

Bryant Rutledge was on the back end of three relief arms Texas State sent to the mound. The sophomore nearly fanned the side, striking out Daniel Jordan and Jake Pinchback before getting the final pop out to end the frame.

Texas State will close out the final series of the regular season tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 p.m. The start time has been shifted from an original 1 p.m. start to accommodate senior day ceremonies. Prior to first pitch, head coach Ty Harrington will honor the 2010 senior class of Garret Carruth, Shaun Garcia, Jordan Kopycinski, Kyle Livingstone, Laurn Randell and Michael Russo. Four-year manager Andy Barringer will also be honored.

Note: Texas State can claim the 2010 regular season title with (a) A victory over UT Arlington (b) a loss to UT Arlington with a Southeastern Louisiana win. If Texas State loses the series with UTA and SLU is swept by Northwestern State, the Demons will claim the regular season title.