TROY, Ala. – The Texas State baseball team lost 4-0 to Troy Friday night in the first game of a Sun Belt Conference series at Riddle-Pace Field.
 
The Bobcats dropped to 22-17 on the year and 9-7 in the SBC, while the Trojans (20-17, 7-9 SBC) picked up their first Friday victory since conference-opening weekend March 17.
 
Troy jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning and tacked on insurance runs in both the third and seventh frames. The Bobcats were outhit 5-3 and both teams left five on base.
 
TXST's three hits were sprinkled between sophomore Ryan Newman and juniors Luke Sherley and Derek Scheible.
 
Sophomore Connor Reich (2-3) reached double-digit strikeouts on the mound in a losing effort. He allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, while fanning 10 and walking just two.
 
Andrew Crane (3-1) earned the win for the Trojans after giving up just two hits across the first 6.0 frames. He struck out seven and walked three. Cory Gill collected his fourth save after closing out the last 3.0 innings. He struck out seven and did not issue a free pass.
 
Brandon Lockridge went 2-for-4 and was the only player in the entire game with multiple hits. He drove in a run and scored. Justin Friend had a pair of RBIs.
 
The Bobcats tied their season high by striking out 14 times and also committed a season-high four errors. The last time Texas State was shutout in back-to-back games was May 16-17 at UTA.
 
The two teams are slated to finish the series with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. April 22. The series was originally to span three days but was moved into a two-day window due to potential inclement weather in the forecast.
 
-TxStateBobcats.com-