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San Marcos, Texas – A four-run fifth inning was enough to propel the Texas State baseball team back into the win column on Friday night as the Bobcats snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory over Central Arkansas at Bobcat Ballpark.
Starting pitcher Travis Ballew (7-3) earned his seventh victory of the season after limiting Central Arkansas to three runs (one earned) over his seven innings on the mound. He struck out seven, increasing his season total to a team-high 78.
Junior Ross Goebel came in for the final two innings of the contest and held the Bears without a hit while striking out a career-high four batters en route to his second save of the season.
“That was a big win,” said head coach Ty Harrington. “Everyone knows about our struggles lately. What was important was we played better today. It wasn't our best, but it was better than we've been playing.”
After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Texas State answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead. The Bobcats loaded the bases with no outs, and Jeff McVaney doubled to the gap in right-center field to bring home a pair of runs. One batter later, Casey Kalenkosky singled back through the middle to plate two more runs and give Texas State the advantage.
Texas State tacked on a run in the seventh inning to take a two-run advantage, 5-3. Tyler Sibley led off the inning with a double that was the 46th of his career, setting a new Texas State career record and tying him with Bret Atwood for the career lead in hits for the Bobcats with 259. Later in the inning with Sibley on third and McVaney on first, Texas State executed a double steal with Sibley taking home for the team's fifth run of the game. The steal was the 52nd in Sibley's career.
Central Arkansas threatened in the eighth inning, putting runners on second and third with no outs, but Goebel came out of the bullpen and worked out of the jam without allowing a run before striking out the side in the ninth to close out the game.
Sibley finished Friday's game 2 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored, while McVaney was 1 for 3 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Freshman Garrett Mattlage also went 2 for 3 with a run scored and stole his second base of the season.
Texas State improved to 21-16 overall and 9-10 in the Southland Conference with the win, while Central Arkansas dropped to 16-18 overall and 10-9 in the conference.
UCA starting pitcher Jeffery Enloe (3-5) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Texas State and Central Arkansas play game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bobcat Ballpark. Junior Colton Turner (3-2, 1.81 ERA) will make his ninth start of the season.
