May 29, 2010

Final Stats

Corpus Christi, Texas - Andrew Stumph recorded a base hit into shallow centerfield that pushed the game-winning run across the plate and helped the Texas State baseball team avoid elimination in the Southland Conference Tournament with a 5-4 victory over UT Arlington Friday night at Whataburger Field. Texas State (37-21) must defeat UTA (29-30) for a second time in the double-elimination tournament to advance to the 6 p.m. championship game.

Tomorrow's rematch with UTA is set for 1 p.m. Fans can follow along on 89.9 KTSW FM, GameTracker and a live video stream provided by the Southland Conference at www.southland.org.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Bobcats had just two tries left at the plate to make a run for the win. Stumph broke open five innings of silence from the Bobcat bats when he led off the frame with a double to centerfield. The freshman advanced to third on a flyout and scored on a sacrifice fly from Laurn Randell to trim UTA's lead to 4-3.

In the top of the eighth, Texas State came right back at UTA when Bret Atwood roped a single up the middle to reach base and Kyle Kubitza laid down a sacrifice bunt to put him in scoring position. Jason Martinson used his lone hit of the night to drive a single through the left side and plate Atwood to tie the game. UTA reliever Calan Pritchard struck out Shaun Garcia, but could not hold off Stumph. The newcomer belted a base hit into centerfield to drive in Livingstone for the go-ahead run.

Stumph finished the night 2-for-4 to aid Texas State's nine-hit tally. UTA outhit Texas State with 11 on the night, led by a trio of players with two hits apiece.

The Mavericks got on the board first with an unearned run in the first that the Bobcats countered with a two-run single from Jeff McVaney. UTA mimicked the feat with a two-run base hit in the second to take the lead and tacked on a solo run in the fifth for the 4-2 edge.

Carson Smith was credited with the win in tonight's game after entering in the seventh and tossing 2.1 of sound relief. Smith retired seven of his 10 batters faced including three on strikes to pick up his 10th victory of the season.

The 2010 Pitcher of the Year gave up a single in the top of the ninth, but struck out UTA's Jordan Vaughn and Michael Choice before getting Preston Beck to fly out to left field to end the game.

Brian Watson suffered his second loss of the season in his first-career start. The left-hander went 7.1 innings and allowed four runs off seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Starters have not been determined for tomorrow's 1 p.m. game. The winner of tomorrow's 1 p.m. game will face Lamar at 6 p.m. in the championship game. The decision will be aired on Southland TV.