Box Score San Marcos, Texas – Texas State put up eight runs in an amazing rally back from an 8-1 deficit, but gave up two runs in the ninth to fall to Sam Houston State, 10-9, at Bobcat Ballpark Sunday afternoon.
 
Facing the 8-1 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, freshman second baseman J.D. Stinnett led off with a single to start the offensive explosion for Texas State. Stinnett put together an impressive day, going one for two with a walk and two runs scored.
 
Senior centerfielder Morgan Mickan followed Stinnett with a walk, both coming with no outs. Fans could feel the momentum build in the stands. After the Mickan walk, sophomore shortstop Garrett Mattlage sent a rocket to the SHSU shortstop to load the bases.
 
Next, freshman Cory Geisler, in a pinch hitting role, sent a double to right field to score two runs and pull Texas State within four, 8-4. The hitting didn't stop there as the Bobcats posted six hits in the seventh
 
Sophomore right fielder Brooks Orton kept the momentum in Texas State's favor with a triple to deep left centerfield. He had to stretch for the triple, but slid in safe as he plated two more runs. With Orton at third, pinch hitter Jon Phillips grounded out, but picked up the RBI as Orton scored to make it a one-run game, 8-7, in favor of the Bearkats.
 
Sophomore left fielder Colby Targun singled next to keep his strong day at the plate going, finishing two for four with a run scored. Stinnett was hit by a pitch after that to bring up Mickan, the team's emotional leader.
 
He sent a ball deep to right centerfield that some though might have been headed out. It fell just short of the fence, but not before Targun and Stinnett scored and Mickan pulled up at third for a stand-up triple The senior showed emotion as he stood on the bag and the Texas State fans fed off it.
 
The huge inning finally ended with a strikeout, but the Bobcats had already claimed a one-run lead on Mickan's triple, 9-8. Head Coach Ty Harrington called on closer Hunter Lemke to finish the game and he did not allow a run in the eighth inning.
 
Unfortunately for Texas State, the Bobcats couldn't score in the eighth and would have to hold Sam Houston State in the top of the ninth. The Bearkats led off with two singles, then their nine-hole hitter, Luke Plucheck, sent a double to left field to score both base runners and snag a 10-9 lead.
 
Texas State couldn't score in the bottom of the ninth to keep the game going and fell to 1-2 with the loss. Sam Houston State also leaves the tournament at 1-2.
 
Mickan finished the day hitting one for three with two walks and two RBI while Orton finished with just one hit, but three RBI and a run scored. Geisler, Smelser and Phillips combined for four RBI while Smelser finished one for three with a run scored and Austin O'Neal finished one for two.
 
The Bobcats fell into a hole early as Sam Houston State hit three consecutive singles and scored one run off starting pitcher Scott Grist to start the game. Grist settled in though and teamed with the Bobcat defense to retire 11 of the next 13 batters until Plucheck broke the streak with a double to start Sam Houston State on the way to four runs in the fifth inning as the Bearkats built up a 5-0 lead that eventually became the 8-1 lead the Bobcats overcame.
 
But it wasn't enough on Sunday.
 
Texas State travels to Baylor Tuesday for a 6:35 p.m. start then will return home to host Houston for a three-game series over the weekend starting with a 6:30 p.m. game Friday.