SAN MARCOS, Texas – Early offense propelled the Texas State baseball team (6-3) to a 9-2 win over Rice (0-7) Wednesday night at Bobcat Ballpark. It was the fifth consecutive win for the Bobcats over the Owls.
 
Picking up his first career win was Matthew Nicholas (1-1). The sophomore right-hander recorded the final two outs in the sixth with the last being by strikeout. Taking the loss was Brandon Deskins (0-1) after surrendering four runs on four hits and three walks.
 
John Wuthrich got the scoring going in the first with a solo home run to left center on a 3-2 offering.
 
In the third, Cole Coffey walked to start things off. Isaiah Ortega-Jones followed with a bunt single and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. A 2-0 pitch was laced to right center by Will Hollis for a two-RBI single. The senior outfielder would later score when Dalton Shuffield reached on a bunt single.
 
Rice chipped into the lead when Aaron Beaulaurier singled through the left side to make it 4-1 in the fifth.
 
In the bottom of the frame, both Justin Thompson and Wuthrich were walked to lead off. Shuffield singled through the left side to plate a run. Will Faison added another run with a sacrifice fly to left center. The third run of the inning came when Ortega-Jones drew a free pass with the bases loaded to increase the advantage to 7-1.
 
The Owls scored a run again in the top of the sixth on a Rodrigo Duluc single down the left field line.
 
Wuthrich started the next half inning by doubling down the left field line. Two batters later, Shuffield also doubled down the left field line that brought home Wuthirch. After a balk, Tucker Redden flew out to left center for a sacrifice fly for the final run of the game.
 
Shuffield led all players at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance. The San Antonio native drove in three runs and scored once. Wuthrich finished with three runs scored, two hits and one RBI. Both Coffey and Thompson drew two walks each.
 
Garrett Herrmann got the start and went four innings with five strikeouts while giving up a run on two hits and free passes. Reece Gould was the first out of the bullpen, lasting 1.1 inning with two strikeouts and allowing one run.
 
Cade Bullinger, Damon Fernandez and Otto Wofford all threw an inning of relief. Both Bullinger and Fernandez made their Bobcats debut. Wofford struck out two while Fernandez had three strikeouts but walked two and hit a batter.
 
Next up for TXST is a three-game weekend series at Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Schroeder Park.
 
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