SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State baseball team dropped a 7-4 decision to Little Rock in a Sun Belt Conference game Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
The Bobcats (14-11-1, 3-5 SBC) lost their sixth-straight game, while the Trojans (16-10, 6-2 SBC) have now won 10 of their last 12 contests.
 
LR plated solo tallies in each of the first two innings before posting four in the third frame to take the early 6-0 lead. TXST tried to mount a comeback with two runs in both the third and seventh stanzas, but the home side was unable to get any closer.
 
Senior Luke Sherley finished with a pair of RBIs for the maroon and gold. Junior Jacob Almendarez went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
Sophomore Zachary Leigh (1-2) conceded six runs on 10 hits in the first 2.2 innings. He struck out three and walked two. Juniors Seth Jordan, Anthony Pagano and Brayden Theriot were nearly flawless across the final 6.1 frames on the mound. They combined to allow just one run on only two hits, while posting five strikeouts total.
 
Little Rock starter Pablo Ortiz (2-0) picked up the win after pitching the minimum 5.0 innings. He gave up two runs on one hit, while striking out three and walking two. Hayden Arnold and Nick Perez bridged the three-inning gap to get to closer Justin Garcia, who collected his seventh save of the season after tossing a clean ninth.
 
Riley Pittman went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Trojans. Kale Emshoff finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Matt Merino had a pair of hits.
 
Texas State will look to close out the series with a victory at 1 p.m. March 31.
 
-- TXSTATEBOBCATS.COM --