LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Texas State baseball team lost 9-4 to Little Rock Saturday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.
 
The Bobcats dropped to 20-12 overall and 7-4 in the Sun Belt Conference, while the Trojans improved to 11-20 overall and 4-7 in the league.
 
The day began on a high note for TXST, as the visitors received a home run in the top of the first for the second game in a row. LR responded with a three-spot in the bottom of the frame, however, and never looked back. The Trojans dropped another three markers in both the second and fourth innings and cruised to the victory.
 
Sophomore Ryan Newman was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs scored and his first home run since March 17.
 
Sophomore Wes Engle (2-1) took his first loss of the year after allowing nine runs on 11 hits in 4.0 frames. He was able to strike out a career-high eight batters, while walking just three. Senior Joe Powell went the final 4.0 innings to tie for the longest outing of his career, and he only conceded two hits and no runs or errors.
 
Little Rock outhit Texas State 13-7 and won despite leading in errors 2-0.
 
Hunter Owens went 3-for-4 with three runs scored for the Trojans. Nik Gifford, Dalton Thomas and Cameron Knight all had a pair of hits in the winning effort. Thomas scored twice and Gifford drove one four runs.
 
Ryan LeMoine (1-3) tossed the first 5.0 innings to earn his first win of the season. He allowed four runs on six hits, while striking out six and walking two. Justin Garcia picked up the save after throwing the final 3.2 innings and not allowing a walk, hit or run. He struck out four.
 
The series finale is set to begin at noon April 9.
 
-TxStateBobcats.com-