SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State baseball team walked off Appalachian State 3-2 in a Sun Belt Conference game Saturday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
The Bobcats (12-4-1, 2-0 SBC) extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games, while the Mountaineers (5-11, 0-2 SBC) have now dropped seven of their last eight games overall.
 
TXST initially pulled ahead in the fifth inning in what shaped up to be a classic pitcher's duel. The first runs of the night came on an infield single from senior Derek Scheible. His hit drove home fellow senior Jared Huber, and classmate Mickey Scott touched home on a throwing error by the shortstop.
 
Appalachian State pulled one back in the sixth on an RBI groundout, and play was then halted for 1 hour, 24 minutes due to lightning in the area. This marked the fourth-consecutive weekend series for Texas State that had to be altered due to inclement weather.
 
The Mountaineers came out of the delay with the momentum and tied the game in the top of the eighth, but the Bobcats were able to earn the walkoff triumph thanks to a bases-loaded walk drawn by junior Jaylen Hubbard.
 
Huber led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, and true freshman pinch runner Dalton Shuffield advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Junior Jonathan Ortega was intentionally walked, and Scheible drew another walk to fill up the bags. Hubbard needed just five disciplined pitches to earn the game-winning walk, giving TXST its second walkoff win of the season (Stephen F. Austin, March 4).
 
Texas State's 8-9 hitters were a perfect 4-for-4 on the day. Huber was 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk from the eight hole. Scott was 1-for-1 with a run, a walk and two sac bunts at the bottom of the order.
 
Junior Connor Reich was dominant on the mound, posting just one run on four hits in 7.0 innings. He struck out five and walked one before leaving after the delay. Reich made way for senior Cam Baird (2-0), who earned the win after giving up one run on two hits across the final 2.0 frames. He struck out five and walked just one.
 
App State relief pitcher Luke Watts (0-1) was saddled with the loss after tossing the final 1.2 innings. He gave up one run on two hits, while walking four and striking out one. Starter Colin Schmid allowed two runs on five hits in 6.1 frames, walking seven and striking out five.
 
Joel McDaniel went 2-for-4 and was the only Mountaineer with multiple hits. Leadoff hitter Alex Leshock scored both runs and was driven home both times by Drew Beck.
 
Texas State will look for the sweep at 11 a.m. March 18 from Bobcat Ballpark.
 
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