MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An early lead for Texas State (45-12) did not hold as Louisiana (35-21) claimed a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium in the Sun Belt Championship semifinals.
 
The lone Bobcat to record a multi-hit game was Ben McClain with two. He also drove in a run and scored once. Jose Gonzalez hit a double and finished with an RBI.
 
On the mound, Levi Wells (7-2) struck out eight in 5.2 innings while surrendering three runs on six hits to take the loss. Jacob Schultz (4-3) threw a complete game on 142 pitches and had 12 strikeouts to earn the win.
 
Austin Smith threw a season-high three innings without allowing a run and struck out a career-high four. Matthew Nicholas recorded an out of the bullpen.
 
McClain opened the bottom of the first with a single through the right side and advanced to third on a pickoff a throw that got away. A double to left off the bat of Gonzalez put the Bobcats on the board for an early 1-0 lead.

On the board with an RBI double!#EatEmUp | @JGonzalez0815 pic.twitter.com/Khz3caUilN

— #11 Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) May 29, 2022

 
The first three batters reached for the Ragin' Cajuns in the next half inning. Wells escaped the jam with a strikeout and inducing a popup and groundout.
 
Daylan Pena walked to start the bottom of the second and Cameron Gibbons laced a single through the right side. A 1-2 offering to McClain was sent down the right field line for an RBI double to double TXST's advantage.

An RBI double from @bmicheal37 doubles our lead!#EatEmUp pic.twitter.com/ATqyq4eScv

— #11 Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) May 29, 2022

 
Louisiana knotted the score in the third with a two-run homer by Tyler Robertson. He would follow two innings later with solo shot to put the Cajuns in front.
 
The Bobcats got two in scoring position after Peyton Lewis and John Wuthrich both singled and moved up on a fielding error. However, UL escaped with a strikeout and a hard lineout to end the inning. The final 11 TXST batters were retired as the Cajuns eliminated the Bobcats from the Sun Belt Championship.
 
On Monday, TXST will find out where they will end up in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2. A watch party that is open to the public will be held in the Castro Club of the UEC with doors opening at 10 a.m.
 
For all things Texas State baseball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
  Read Full Article