ARLINGTON, Texas – Junior third baseman Justin Thompson was a career best 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs of Texas State's (3-2) 5-4 victory over Sam Houston State (0-1) at Globe Life Field Wednesday evening.
 
Reece Gould (1-0) picked up the victory after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in relief while Trevis Sundgren threw a perfect ninth to earn his first collegiate save. Taking the loss was Steven Beard (0-1) as he surrendered four runs on four hits in 3.1 innings.
 
Scoring twice for the Bobcats was Cameron Gibbons. He and Bryce Bonner drove in a run apiece.
 
Cameron Bush got the start and went 4.2 innings with five strikeouts. He did surrender three runs on four hits and two walks. Otto Wofford threw a frame of relief and allowed a run.
 
In the bottom of the third Gibbons hit the first pitch of the frame off the left field wall for a double. Following two quick outs, Will Hollis singled up the middle to put runners on the corners. Thompson came through with an RBI single to left field to give TXST an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Bearkats responded in the next half inning with a run to tie the contest. They scored twice more in the fifth to go ahead 3-1 with both runs scoring on Bobcat miscues.
 
In the seventh, Johnny Gonzales was plunked on the first pitch of the frame. Wesley Faison and Cade Manning followed with singles to load the bases. On the first pitch of his at-bat, Gibbons hit a shot to the third baseman that was misplayed to score a run and keep the bases loaded.
 
Bryce Bonner followed with a deep fly out to center that saw a run score and the other two batters advance a base. After SHSU made a call to the bullpen, Hollis was able to work a walk to reload the bases with two outs.
 
A 1-2 offering to Thompson was laced down the left field line for a double to bring home two more runs to put the Bobcats up 5-3.
 
The Bearkats were able to cut the advantage in half with a run in the top of the eighth.
 
Head coach Steven Trout brought in Sundgren to close out the ball game. The junior right-hander struck the first batter out before inducing a ground out and fly out to end the game.
 
The Bobcats are still searching for an opponent this weekend. Should no one be found, TXST will be back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 2 at Bobcat Ballpark against New Mexico State with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
For all things Texas State baseball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.