SAN MARCOS, Texas – A ninth inning comeback fell short for Texas State (7-10) on Sunday in an 8-7 setback to Houston (10-5) at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
Austin Smith (2-2) suffered the loss after surrendering three runs on four hits in an inning of relief. Jaycob Deese (2-1) picked up the win as he threw three innings of relief and gave up just one run. Earning his first save of the season was Derrick Cherry. He struck out four in three innings while giving up a run on three walks and two hits.
 
Recording two hits apiece for the Bobcats was Johnny Gonzales, Will Hollis, Ben McClain and Dalton Shuffield. Driving in a season-high four runs was Shuffield and Gonzales plated three runs as he hit his second home run in as many days.
 
Zeke Wood started on the mound but lasted just three innings. The right-hander allowed five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three. Trevis Sundgren threw a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout.
 
Shutting down the cougars over the final four innings was Otto Wofford. The Mason, Texas native needed just 44 pitches to retire all 12 batters he faced with four going down by strikeout.
 
The Cougars scored first on a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Hollis led off by drawing a walk. Wesley Faison hit a double to right center to put two runners in scoring position. The very next pitch to Shuffield was hit deep enough to center to bring home Hollis and tie the game at 1-1.
 
The third began with singles from McClain and Hollis, respectively. Both runners moved into scoring position when Justin Thompson flew out down the right field line. Two batters later, Shuffield hit a 3-2 pitch back up the middle to drive in two runs. Gonzales followed by smashing a 1-1 offering over the right field wall for a 2-run homer and give the Bobcats a 5-1 advantage.
 
UH quickly erased TXST's lead with four runs in the fourth. The visitors added three more runs in the fifth to go up 8-5.
 
The Bobcats were able to load the bases in the seventh and Shuffield was walked to bring in a run. However, the next two batters struck out to leave more possible runs on base.
 
Thompson led off the ninth with a single to left field. After a walk to Jose Gonzalez, Shuffield laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Gonzales fouled off the first two pitches to him before lacing a single through the left side to cut the deficit. However, the game ended with a double play on the next pitch.
 
Next up for Texas State is a home game with Rice on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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