HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Texas State received a nine-strikeout performance from Jonathan Hennigan and a 2-for-4, three-RBI outing from Theodore Hoffman, but it wasn't enough Monday night. Sam Houston State came from behind, 6-3, with five runs in the eighth inning to knock off Texas State, 8-6, and drop the Bobcats to 15-10 on the year.
 
Not only did Hoffman finish 2-for-4 with three RBIs, but he also stole two bases. In addition, Ryan Newman was 2-for-3 with an RBI while Jaylen Hubbard also knocked two hits in the game. Granger Studdard and Tanner Hill both scored twice as the Bobcats built up a 6-2 lead in the first five innings of the game.
 
Hennigan had one of his best performances of the season on the mound, striking out nine and only walking one. In 103 pitches, he went six innings and gave up five hits and three runs, but twice went stretches of six consecutive batters retired.
 
Still, that wasn't enough as Sam Houston State stormed back in the eighth. The Bearkat leadoff man knocked a single and two batters later, Matt Broadbent drew a walk. Right fielder Hunter Hearn hit a single through the right side to plate leadoff hitter Bryce Johnson and pull the Bearkats within two, 6-4.
 
After that, the Bearkats loaded the bases with a walk and only one out. Sam Houston State pinch hit lefty swinger Zach Smith who entered the game as the second-leading hitter on the squad with 28 on the season and a .354 batting average. He placed a hit that landed just fair inside the left field line for a two-RBI double to tie the game, 6-6. The Bearkats went ahead two batters later.
 
Texas State walked Jordan Cannon to load the bases and make it a force at every base. Unfortunately, Taylor Beene knocked his second big hit of the night, a high bouncer to the outfield that plated two Bearkats and gave Sam Houston State an 8-6 lead, the final score. The Bearkats retired Texas State's top of the order in the top of the ninth to clinch the game.
 
After Sam Houston State scored first with two runs in the bottom of the third, the Bobcats wasted no time answering back. Hubbard started the fourth inning with a leadoff single. After a fielder's choice, Hill sent a rocket down the third-base line for a stand-up double to put him and Studdard at second and third base. Hoffman stepped up in the next at-bat, knocking a single up the middle to plate both runners and tie the game, 2-2.
 
The Bobcats broke the game open in the next inning. With two outs, Hubbard kept the inning alive with a nice piece of hitting to drive a double down the first-base line. He used his speed to leg it out. After that, Sam Houston State elected to intentionally walk Studdard to put runners at first and second. Next, SHSU's left fielder committed a costly error on a high pop up from Hill. Hubbard and Studdard both scored on the drop in the outfield to grab a 4-2 lead. Texas State wasn't done there though.
 
With Hill at second base, Hoffman came up big again with a double to centerfield, dropping the ball just in front of a diving centerfielder. Hill scored on the play to push the lead up to 5-2. Hoffman, after stealing a base on his first time on the base paths in the fourth inning, he stole another to go to third base in the fifth. With that steal, he has six on the season to lead the team. Newman got in on the action next with a base hit through the right side to bring in Hoffman and give Texas State a 6-2 lead after five innings.
 
Sam Houston State would score a run in the sixth inning, though, and then strike with the eighth inning to win the game.
 
Texas State next travels to Georgia Southern for a weekend Sun Belt Conference series with the Eagles, a team with which the Bobcats are tied for second place in the SBC. Games will be at 6 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday, all times Central Standard.