SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State dropped the second game of the series to South Alabama, 7-3. The Bobcats held the Jaguars to three runs in the first six innings, but USA added four more runs combined in the final three innings to clinch the win and the series. Texas State drops to 15-8 on the season and 6-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, but will look to salvage the series at 12 p.m. Saturday with Cory Geisler on the mound.
 Jaylen Hubbard boosted his batting average to .375 on a 3-for-4 day, knocking a ninth-inning triple that many hoped would ignite a rally. In addition to Hubbard, Tanner Hill continued his rampage with a 2-for-5 day, knocking his third homer in a stretch of seven innings over two games. He now has eight home runs for the season and was seeing the ball well Friday. Even on his three outs, he still barreled the ball.
 
Granger Studdard also knocked two hits in the game while Jonathan Ortega, Theodore Hoffman and Luke Sherley all tallied a hit with Ortega knocking in an RBI. The Bobcats struck 10 hits in the game, just one short of South Alabama. Going against one of the best strikeout pitchers in the conference, Texas State only struck out four times. South Alabama's starter Kevin Hill hadn't thrown fewer than seven strikeouts in a game all season. Hill's home run was just the second given up by Hill this year.
 
Jeremy Hallonquist started strong, striking a batter out in the first inning and retiring the first two batters of the second. Then, South Alabama hit three consecutive singles and a double to score three runs and claim an early lead. After that, though, Hallonquist only allowed two hits the rest of his 6.1 innings of work, only walking one. Later in the game, Chase Hodson and Anthony Pagano both struck out two batters each in a combined 2.1 innings, not allowing an earned run.
 
After USA's big inning, Hill gave Bobcat fans hope with his big home run to left field, leading off the bottom fo the second. The Bobcats knocked two singles behind that in the inning, but couldn't get any runners around. It would be the first of four times Texas State stranded runners at third base Friday. In total, Texas State left 10 runners on base.
 
That would be the theme as Texas State scattered seven hits the rest of the game, but only scored twice, both times in the ninth.
 
Trying to rally, Hubbard hit an impressive triple to right centerfield. After that, Dylan Paul drew a walk and Ortega reached on a fielder's choice, plating Hubbard. Ortega was able to score on a Studdard single, but a groundout after that ended the game.
 
The Bobcats and Jaguars meet for the series finale at 12 p.m. Saturday. Senior Cory Geisler will be on the mound for Texas State.