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San Marcos, Texas – It was unfortunate deja vu for Texas State fans on Wednesday night as the Texas State baseball team, seeded first in the Southland Conference Tournament, lost its opening-round game to No. 8 seed Nicholls, 6-0, at Bobcat Ballpark.
Texas State also suffered the same disappointment a season ago, when the No. 1 seed Bobcats fell to the No. 8 seed Colonels in the first round. The Bobcats were able to turn around and win their next four games last season and will look at least duplicate that effort again this season.
The Bobcats will play No. 4 seed Southeastern Louisiana, who lost earlier in the day to Sam Houston State, in the 12 p.m. game on Thursday at Bobcat Ballpark. Texas State will need a win to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.
The Bobcats were shut out for just the second time this season as Nicholls starter Seth Webster went the distance for the visitors, tossing nine scoreless innings with five strikeouts, while allowing nine hits and two walks. An All-Southland Conference First Team performer, Webster improved to 7-3 this season while helping the Colonels even their record at 27-27 this season.
Texas State starter Mitchell Pitts went seven innings for the Bobcats, scattering 10 hits while allowing three runs and striking out three. He fell to 5-3 this season as the team dropped to 35-21 this season.
Despite putting the leadoff batter on base in eight out of the nine innings, the Bobcats could not push across a run on Wednesday night as the Nicholls defense played a large role in the game's outcome, turning three double plays while also making a several difficult catches on hard-hit balls in the outfield.
Nicholls scored single runs in the third and sixth innings before chasing Pitts from the game as part of a three-run eighth inning that made the score 5-0 in favor of the visitors. The Colonels added another run in the ninth inning to round out the scoring.
Eight different Bobcats recorded hits during Wednesday's game, including Christian Gallegos who led the team with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. The Bobcats also left 10 runners on base.
Texas State head coach Ty Harrington opening statement:
“It was one of those situations where we had some opportunities to do some things. I thought we had some good swings at (Nicholls pitcher Seth Webster). When he had to make a big pitch he did, and that was a difference in the game.”
On upsets in the SLC tournament: “We knew going into it that we were facing one of the best pitchers in the conference. Our conference is easily balanced, there's no question about that.”
On Mitchell Pitts' performance: “He did battle hard. It was the fourth time they've seen him, and I knew they would have an idea of what his stuff was like. He battled just like I knew he would. We got out of him what I thought we would. I anticipated we would relieve better but they separated the game.”
On another loss to Nicholls and whether the team can bounce back: “We'll find out. We don't have a choice but be disappointed, but we'll move on to the next moment. That's what we do.”
Nicholls head coach Seth Thibodeaux
We were very determined tonight, our guys played well last week and I think it carried over this week. We're really believing right now.
On Seth Webster – He wants to make sure he puts us on his back. He's a very good leader and a hard worker.
Shortstop Chase Jaramillo
“It's a huge win. We come out here every day and try to play the best we can. We couldn't ask any more out of anybody.”
On Seth Webster – “He always has the mindset. Even when he's not at his best he's a competitor, he finds a way to win.”
Pitcher Seth Webster:
On game calling Coach Chris Prothro and catcher Jason Dennis – “They both had a plan and we played pretty good defense tonight. We have some great arms out there, I'm definitely happy with our outfield.”
On coming out and beating Texas State this time around – “Two weeks ago I was behind with hitters the whole day, not starting people off with strikes. Coach Prothro stresses throwing two out of the first three pitches for strikes. When we do that we can beat anyone in the conference.”
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Thursday, May 26
Game Five: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Lamar (H), 9 a.m.
Game Six: Southeastern La. vs. Texas State (H), Noon Game Seven: Stephen F. Austin vs. UTSA (H), 4 p.m.
Game Eight: Nicholls vs. Sam Houston State (H), 7 p.m.
