Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. – Texas State trailed by five runs early on but answered back with a huge sixth inning to tie it up. Washington State, however, always answered the Bobcats throughout the game to survive in an 8-6 loss for Texas State.
 
The Cougars opened the scoring with a run in the second and followed with four more in the third. Texas State answered with five runs in the sixth, but Washington State scored one run in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead. After that, Texas State tied it again in the seventh but the Cougars scored two more in the bottom of the inning for the win.
 
Garrett Mattlage and Tyler Pearson led the offensive effort for Texas State. Mattlage wasn't retired on the night, going 3-for-3 with two walks and scoring two runs. Pearson finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
 
The Bobcat bats popped a little more than they have lately with 11 hits, matching the output of the Cougars. In fact, Texas State gave Washington State starter Jason Monda, a sixth-round draft pick last year, his first earned runs of the year when they scored five, all earned, in the sixth. After that, the Cougars would send five more pitchers to the mound to fight off the Bobcats which could bode well for the Saturday and Sunday games.
 
Texas State countered with six innings from Lucas Humpal and two from Tyler Davenport. The duo combined for eight strikeouts and walked three.
 
Matt Smith started Texas State's big sixth with a deep double to left field that flirted with the fence. It finally dropped just short of a home run but gave him a stand-up double to get the Cats started. He went to third on a wild pitch then Mattlage and David Paiz both walked to load the bases. Tanner Hill knocked a single through the left side and Pearson singled to right center to plate a run each. Later, Pearson and Hill scored on a Cory Geisler hit up the middle and Ben McElroy tied the game with a bases loaded walk.
 
After Washington State answered, Mattlage led off the seventh with a single and stole second. He scored on a double from Pearson and the Bobcats looked poised for a few more runs but that would end the Texas State scoring on the night.
 
The thorn in Texas State's side was left fielder Yale Rosen. He knocked a leadoff double in the second inning and scored the only run of the inning. Next, he followed with a two-run homer in the third. He finished 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring three times with his two RBI. Nick Tanielu was 2-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI. Tanielu, the three hole hitter, and Rosen, cleanup, generated most of Washington State's offense on the night.
 
Saturday, Taylor Black will take the mound for Texas State to face lefty Joe Pistorese at 4 p.m. central standard time. Bobcat fans, continue to check www.txstatebobcats.com though throughout the day as there is a possibility that Texas State will play a doubleheader due to weather concerns for Sunday.