SLC Tournament: Southeastern Louisiana Gallery
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San Marcos, Texas – Texas State had no trouble putting runners on base Thursday night against No. 2 seeded Southeastern Louisiana in the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament, but the Bobcats could only push across one run while leaving 12 runners on base for the game. The No. 3 seeded Bobcats will now move into an elimination game against their first-round opponent, No. 6 seeded Stephen F. Austin, at noon on Friday at Bobcat Ballpark.
Southeastern Louisiana scored single runs in the first and second inning before extending its advantage to 5-0 after five innings. Tyler Sibley came through with an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning that brought home Isaac Nuti for the Bobcats first run of the game, but the Lions answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame to make the score 6-1 before going on to take the game by a final of 7-1.
The Bobcats had several opportunities with runners in scoring position for the game but could not come through with timely hits to score runs. The team left on eight runners through the first five innings before leaving on 12 for the game.
Texas State's miscues were not limited to the bats as the team also committed five errors in the field, resulting in four unearned runs scored for the Lions.
Sibley finished Thursday's game with a pair of hits to lead the Bobcats offensively. Casey Kalenkosky reached base three times with a hit and a pair of walks, while both Morgan Mickan and Nuti each finished with a hit.
Colton Turner started his 14th game of the season for Texas State and dropped to 5-3 after allowing six hits, five runs (three earned) and three walks over four innings. He struck out four to increase his season total to 87.
Ross Goebel pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief for Texas State before Donnie Hart went the final 2 1/3 frames on the mound.
With the loss, Texas State (32-23) had its three-game winning streak stopped, while Southeastern Louisiana improved to 38-19 overall.
Southeastern Louisiana starting pitcher Jordan Hymel limited Texas State to no runs over 4 2/3 innings before giving way to Dylan Hills (9-4) who picked up the win in relief for the Lions.
Texas State will look to remain alive in its Southland Conference Tournament title defense attempt on Friday afternoon when the team plays Stephen F. Austin at noon.
Texas State head coach Ty Harrington:
On boiling the game to two out situations
“That tends to separate the game and it definitely did tonight. We didn't defend the baseball very well, we left runners on. We had some opportunities to do some great things but weren't as fortunate. The next thing for us to is to move our next moment, and that's tomorrow.”
On Dylan Hills' performance on the mound
“He has great cutter and slider command, and he uses it. It's tough to do and our guys aren't used to seeing that. He did well.”
On the goals for the rest of the tournament
“We'll discuss who we'll throw later as a staff. Tournament play isn't laid out like regular weekend play. The biggest key to coming back and winning it is to focus on that next moment, not on what's beyond that.”
