Box Score

San Marcos, Texas – Texas State tallied six hits in a midweek game against Baylor Tuesday night, but they didn't come in a timely manner as the Bobcats stranded 14 runners in a 6-3 loss. A combined 13 pitchers saw action in the game, but Jeremy Hallonquist and Donnie Hart were bright spots for the Bobcats, who now stand at 1-3 on the season.
 
The duo teamed for five strikeouts and just one hit against 11 batters in a combined 3.1 innings of work. Hallonquist logged the first innings of his career and didn't shy away from the moment. He struck out two and caught a pop up in his first inning, then followed it with two more strikeouts in his second inning before being relieved by senior hurler Mitchell Pitts.
 
Senior catcher Andrew Stumph was the only Bobcat with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 on the night. Four others struck a hit with Cory Geisler notching the only RBI of the game for Texas State. Shortstop Garrett Mattlage and third baseman Nick Smelser scored the three runs for the Bobcats with Mattlage touching home twice.
 
The Bobcats started quickly with a run in their first chance to bat. Mattlage worked for a walk, then went to second when Baylor's second baseman couldn't handle a grounder from sophomore outfielder Brooks Orton.
 
With two men on, Stumph sent a roller through the left side that the BU leftfielder couldn't handle. Mattlage took advantage to score on the error while Orton moved to third. Stumph tried to reach second but Adam Toth, the leftfielder, recovered in enough time to get the out. Unfortunately, a line drive to short ended the rest of the opportunity for the Bobcats.
 
The lead was short-lived as Baylor answered in the bottom of the inning. With two away, the second baseman, Lawton Langford sent a double to left field, and designated hitter Mitch Price followed with a single up the middle to plate Langford.
 
After a scoreless second for the Bobcats, Baylor put up four runs on five hit. The inning was highlighted by a bizarre pop up that looked headed for foul territory but dropped between first baseman Austin O'Neal and Orton in right field. The hit turned into a double and scored a runner from first. Senior lefty Covey Morrow entered to strikeout Baylor third baseman Cal Towey to end the inning down, 5-1.
 
The Bobcats threatened to answer in the top of the third, loading the bases. J.D. Stinnett, who hit .400 over the past weekend, worked the count for a walk. After a single, wild pitch, error and a fielder's choice Stinnett ended up at third with Mattlage at first. Stumph walked next to load the bases. A strikeout ended the threat.
 
Mattlage scored his second run of the night in the top of the fifth. After a Mattlage double to center, Orton singled through the left gap, but Toth booted it again to allow Mattlage to score.
 
Baylor scored a run in the sixth, but couldn't do it in the seventh thanks to a diving play from Mattlage. The shortstop snagged a fast moving grounder and popped up quickly enough to make the throw to O'Neal at first in time to complete an impressive play.
 
Texas State created another opportunity as seniors Kevin Sah and Morgan Mickan along with Mattlage all earned walks. But with two outs, a pop fly to right field could not score the runners. After the squandered opportunity, Lucas Humpal entered for the eighth and final defensive inning for the Bobcats.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Bobcats closed the gap a bit when Nick Smelser scored on a Cory Geisler single to centerfield after reaching on a walk. Texas State couldn't carry the momentum as the next batter flied out to left field.
 
Texas State is next in action Friday when the Bobcats host Houston for a three-game series over the weekend starting with a 6:30 p.m. game Friday. The teams will play at 2 p.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday.