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San Marcos, Texas – Junior Travis Ballew allowed just one hit over seven shutout innings while striking out 10 to lead Texas State to a 9-1 victory against McNeese State on Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark in front of 1,322 fans.
Ballew retired the first 11 batters he faced and limited the Cowboys to just one hit and three walks on the night. His 10 strikeouts were the second most of his career, coming one short of his 11-strikeout performance earlier this season against Notre Dame. Ballew improved to 5-2 this season with the win and lowered his season ERA to 1.84.
Texas State (17-9, 5-5 SLC) won for third straight game and ended a three-game losing streak in conference play with the win.
“After the weekend at Sam Houston State, everyone had a wake-up call,” said senior Jeff McVaney. “Since then, we've played better against Oregon and here tonight versus McNeese State.”
McNeese State (10-13, 6-4 SLC) had its three-game winning streak snapped with the loss. Cowboys starter Trey Brown (1-4) took the loss after allowing five runs over six innings on the mound.
“Offensively, our efforts were good early,” said head coach Ty Harrington. “We're giving away less at-bats. I'm proud of us winning this conference game.”
McVaney put the Bobcats on the scoreboard in the second inning when he hit the first pitch of the inning over the wall in right-center field for his fifth home run of the season. The solo shot gave Texas State a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Garrett Mattlage and Tyler Sibley each came through with two-out RBI singles to extend their lead to 3-0.
It did not take long for the Bobcats to add on in the third inning when the first five batters of the inning reached base. Andrew Stumph's two-RBI single highlighted the frame, giving Texas State a 5-0 advantage.
That score remained until the seventh inning when the Bobcats put a four-spot on the scoreboard and nearly defeated the Cowboys by run rule before an inning-ending double play kept the score at 9-0 after seven frames. Cody Gambill had a two-run single and Stumph took a bases-loaded walk as part of the four-run inning.
McNeese State's only run of the game came in the eighth inning and was unearned.
McVaney finished the game 3 for 4 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Gambill went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Stumph finished the game with a team-high three RBIs.
Game two of the three-game series will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Bobcat Ballpark. Junior Colton Turner (1-1, 1.84) will make his sixth start of the season for Texas State.
