Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State came back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game, but fell back in the fifth inning. Then, heading into the ninth, the Bobcats faced a two-run deficit and started to rally, scoring one run, until Rice was finally able to close the game out, 5-4. The Bobcats drop to 25-27 on the season.
 
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Texas State. Freshman Cory Geisler went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run in just the 10^th start of his collegiate career. His RBI was the first of the game to help the Bobcats get started on a three-run comeback.
 
Garrett Mattlage continued his consistent play with a 2-for-4 day, scoring two runs while Nick Smelser was 1-for-3 with two RBI to tie the game at 3-3. Young pitchers Steven Keenum and Austen Williams made good showings as well, combining for just one hit, one walk and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Kyle Finnegan notched two strikeouts in two innings of work.
 
After Rice scored three runs in the opening inning, Texas State bounced back to score three consecutive runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Andrew Stumph started the rally with a two-out single, and Mattlage, Geisler and Smelser all followed suit with singles of their own. Stumph scored Texas State's first run on Geisler's hit, and then Smelser brought in Mattlage and Geisler with his hit through the right side, tying the game 3-3.
 
Rice responded in the top of the fifth with a lone run to regain the lead. Shane Hoelscher reached on a fielder's choice and the Owls moved him around with two singles to score an unearned run and claim a 4-3 lead.
 
The Owls added another run in the eighth inning, which turned out to be the difference in the game, pushing the lead to 5-3. Rice centerfielder Leon Byrd reached second base on an error on a high pop up. He scored on another error the next at bat for the deciding run.
 
After Hunter Lemke limited Rice in the top of the ninth, the Bobcats tried to tie it up in the bottom of the final inning. Mattlage led off with a single to shallow centerfield and moved to second on a wild pitch. He went to third on a groundout and Ben McElroy, in a pinch hitter's role, brought him home on another groundout. Tyler Pearson doubled to left center next to try to keep Texas State going. Unfortunately, that's where it would end for Texas State.
 
Texas State's next action comes early this week as the team hosts Dallas Baptist in the final series of the regular season. First pitches are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday. Join the Bobcats to celebrate senior day prior to Saturday's game.