LAFAYETTE, La. – Texas State drew first blood Friday night with a home run from Jaylen Hubbard, the first of his career, but it would not be enough to topple No. 20 UL Lafayette. Both teams played a fairly even game until ULL scored three runs in the fourth inning off a Dylon Poncho double to the left center gap. After that, the Ragin' Cajuns only scored one more the rest of the way en route to a 5-1 victory for UL Lafayette.
 
Both pitching staffs turned in strong performances as Lucas Humpal struck eight while Braden Pearson and Brayden Theriot added three more strikeouts. Unfortunately, ULL starter Gunner Leger struck out nine to tie his career best, and UL Lafayette finished with 11 strikeouts as well.
 
The fourth inning broke a 1-1 tie to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 4-1 lead. They added one more in the fifth inning and the Bobcats couldn't find a way to respond.
 
The teams will meet at 6 p.m. Saturday for the second game of the series with the Bobcats looking to even it up.
 
 
WHO STOOD OUT
Jaylen Hubbard / IF/OF / R-Freshman / Missouri City, Texas
He was 2-for-4 with a home run and a double, knocking in the only RBI of the game for the Bobcats. He was the only Bobcat to strike multiple hits with three others adding a single hit.
 
 
SCORING RECAP

• Top 2^nd - Jaylen Hubbard hit a leadoff home run. (1 hit, 1 run, 0 errors, 0 left on base)
• Bottom 2^nd – Steven Sensley hits a two-out solo home run. (1 hit, 1 run, 0 errors, 0 left on base)
• Bottom 4^th – Two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Designated hitter Dylon Poncho hit a double to the left center gap to score three runs. (3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base)
• Bottom 5^th – A leadoff double was followed by a single to score the runner and push ULL's lead to 5-1. (1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base)

 
 
NOTES

• For the second consecutive game, Granger Studdard and Tanner Hill hit second and third in the lineup respectively.
• The second-inning home run for Jaylen Hubbard was the first of his career for the Bobcats.
• The home run for UL Lafayette in the second inning was just the second home run given up this season by Lucas Humpal.
• In the third inning, Jacob Almendarez threw a runner out at third base from centerfield. It's his first assist of the season, making all of his appearances in the outfield.
• Jared Huber threw out a runner trying to steal second in the bottom of the fifth inning. It's his ninth runner of the season caught stealing.
• When Hubbard knocked his second hit of the game, a double to right field in the seventh inning, he tallied his 10^th multi-hit game of the season and his third two-hit game in the past five games he's played.
• The Bobcats dropped their sixth game of the season after scoring first in the game. Texas State stands at 16-6 on the year after scoring first in a game.

 
 
NEXT UP
Texas State will continue the series at UL Lafayette with a 6 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and a 1 p.m. game on Sunday. After that, the Bobcats will travel to Texas for the midweek game.