SAN MARCOS, Texas – A couple of early miscues in the first inning proved costly for the Texas State baseball team (3-3), falling 3-1 to Lamar (3-2) Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
After a leadoff single, a balk was called to put the Cardinals' Avery George on second. Cole Girouard laid down a bunt but the throw to first was off target, allowing him to reach second and George to score. A failed pickoff attempt moved Girouard to third, where he would later score on a sacrifice fly to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
 
The Bobcats' first opportunity to crack the scoreboard came in the third when Wesley Faison led off with a single to left field. After Peyton Lewis drew a walk, both runners moved into scoring position on a Tucker Redden sacrifice bunt. However, both Faison and Lewis would be stranded in scoring position.
 
Lamar tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. The Cardinals nearly had more when they loaded the bases the previous inning. However, Reece Gould was able to induce to pop ups to escape the jam unscathed.
 
Not until the ninth would TXST get some more offense. Jaxon Williams fell behind 0-2 but was able to draw a free pass to start off the frame. Will Hollis then single and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
 
Justin Thompson grounded out to second to bring home the Bobcats' lone run of the game. Dalton Shuffield battled and was eventually issued a free pass. The junior shortstop would steal second on the second to last pitch of the game to put the tying run in scoring position, but the game would end on a strikeout.
 
Taking the loss was Zachary Leigh (0-1) despite a career-high tying eight strikeouts. He went seven innings allowing two runs on three hits and walks. Trevin Michael (1-0) picked up the win in which he threw six shutouts innings and struck out six. Earning his first save of the year was Jack Dallas.
 
Gould went 1.1 innings out of the bullpen where he gave up an unearned run on three free passes and one hit. Matthew Nicholas recorded two outs in relief with a strikeout.
 
Hollis recorded two of TXST's three hits with the other coming off the bat of Faison.
 
The second game of the series takes place on Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. first pitch.
 
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