Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

San Marcos, Texas – Junior Mitchell Pitts turned in his second straight outstanding pitching performance on Friday evening in Bobcat Ballpark as the Texas State baseball team defeated visiting Akron, 2-1, in front of 1,001 in attendance in game one of the three-game set. The Bobcats were able to put just two runs on the board, but it was enough as the team's pitching staff limited the Zips to just four hits and one run on the night.

Texas State improved its record to 3-2 overall with the win, while Akron fell to 1-4 to begin the season.

Pitts (2-0) went six innings and struck out five batters to claim his second win of the season while keeping his ERA at a stingy 1.50. Akron's Andrew Brown (1-1) was the tough-luck loser as he allowed two runs on one hit over seven innings for the visitors.

Texas State jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the second inning without the help of a hit. Casey Kalenkosky started the inning getting plunked by Brown before swiping his second base of the season. Cody Gambill followed with a walk to put runners on first and second, and Jeff McVaney grounded into what was essentially a sacrifice as Kalenkosky and Gambill each moved up a base.

With two runners in scoring position, Andrew Stumph grounded into an RBI fielder's choice to send Kalenkosky home from third for the first run of the game. With Gambill on third and one out, Isaac Nuti knocked in the second run of the game with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0 Bobcats after two innings.

Pitts continued to cruise during the third through the fifth innings without allowing a hit while recording three strikeouts.

Akron put a one-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning as the Zips got a two-out single from Brandon White to make the score 2-1.

The Bobcats' Tyler King entered the game in the top of the seventh in relief of Pitts and made quick work of the Akron lineup in both the seventh and eighth innings, allowing just one hit while striking out a season-high four.

Texas State threatened again in the bottom of the eighth as the Bobcats put two runners on base, but Akron pitcher Scott Foster was able to induce a fly ball from Kalenkosky to get out of the inning.

With a 2-1 score going into the ninth inning, the Bobcats brought in senior Joseph Dvorsky for his first career save opportunity. The right-hander made good on his chance, striking out two Zips to begin the inning. Akron made things interesting after they put two runners on-base with a walk and a single, but Dvorsky worked around it and induced a lazy fly ball for the final out of the game.