SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State won its third consecutive game with a 5-3 victory over Central Michigan Friday. The Bobcats braved the cold weather and persevered behind a timely hit from David Paiz and strong pitching from Lucas Humpal and Blake Whitter.
 
Humpal went seven innings and only gave up five hits. He struck out three and walked four, but only allowed two earned runs. Braden Pearson, Justin Dellinger and Blake Whitter combined for two innings and only allowed one hit. Whitter shut Central Michigan down in the ninth for his first save of the season and Texas State's second.
 
Central Michigan was the first to score with a run in the top of the second inning. Texas State, however, showed some resolve by limiting the Chippewas to just one run after they loaded the bases with no outs. First, Luke Sherley, Cedric Vallieres and Ben McElroy combined for a double play, and Vallieres followed with an easy 4-3 putout to finish the top of the inning. The Chippewas added two more runs in the third for an early 3-0 lead.
 
Texas State came storming back in the bottom of the third, though, behind the bat of Paiz. Sherley became the first Texas State base runner of the inning when he took a hit by pitch. Behind him, both Cody Lovejoy and Vallieres hit singles to load the bases for Paiz. Vallieres's hit came on a bunt.
 
Paiz cleared the bases with a well-placed triple to the right corner of the field to tie the game, 3-3, in a hurry. After that, McElroy put the ball in play to plate Paiz for a 4-3 Texas State lead after three. The Bobcats wouldn't relinquish the lead the rest of the way.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Bobcats spread the lead to two runs. Matt Sanchez, in a pinch hitting role, reached on a fielder's choice. He came in on a single from freshman Jared Huber for a 5-3 Texas State lead after six innings, and that's all it would take.
 
In addition to Paiz, McElroy and Huber picked up an RBI each. Lovejoy led the team with two hits while Vallieres, Paiz and Huber finished with a hit each.
 
Texas State and Central Michigan are scheduled to play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Continue to check www.txstatebobcats.com throughout the weekend for schedule changes in case of weather.