SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State baseball team suffered a 6-3 setback to Little Rock in the first game of a weekend Sun Belt Conference series Thursday night at Bobcat Ballpark.

The Bobcats (14-10-1, 3-4 SBC) lost their fifth-straight game, while the Trojans (15-10, 5-2 SBC) have now won nine of their last 11 contests.

LR initially went on top by scoring three runs in the top of the third, but junior Jonathan Ortega belted his first home run of the season in the home half of the frame and recorded an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3.

The visitors regained the advantage with a pair of markers in the sixth and added an insurance run in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Ortega went 2-for-3 and finished with three RBIs and one run scored. Senior Luke Sherley, classmate Dylan Paul and junior Jacob Almendarez all went 2-for-4 on the evening.

Junior Connor Reich (3-2) was saddled with the loss after conceding all six runs (three earned) on 11 hits across 6.0 frames. He did not issue a walk and struck out five. Junior relievers Kyle Bradford and Braden Pearson were lights out across the final 3.0 innings, as they teamed up to not allow a baserunner.

Little Rock starter Chandler Fidel (4-2) picked up the win after giving up three runs on six hits in 6.0 innings. He struck out two and walked three. Justin Garcia struck out three in the ninth and collected his sixth save of the year.

Ryan Benevidez paced the Trojans with a 3-for-4 effort at the dish. Matt Merino, Troy Alexander and James Gann all finished with two hits. Alexander drove in two, and Chase Coker scored twice.

The two teams will continue the series at 6 p.m. March 30.

-- TXSTATEBOBCATS.COM --