SAN MARCOS, Texas – Sun Belt Conference play begins this weekend as Texas State (11-5) hosts 25th-ranked Southern Miss (11-5) for a three-game series at Bobcat Ballpark. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. start on Sunday. The series finale on Sunday will begin at 1 p.m.
 
All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Ty Harrington on the call. Fans can also tune into KTSW 89.9 FM to hear the action on Sunday.
 
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER
Tuesday: TXST RHP Cameron Bush (0-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. USM RHP Tanner Hall (2-2, 3.68 ERA)
Saturday: TXST RHP Levi Wells (3-0, 0.51 ERA) vs. USM RHP Matthew Adams (2-0, 2.70 ERA)
Sunday: TXST RHP Nathan Medrano (1-1, 6.62 ERA) vs. USM RHP Niko Mazza (3-1, 1.96 ERA)
 
ABOUT TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats extended their winning streak to four games following a four-run victory over No. 11 TCU. The victory marked the halfway point of the 10-game homestand. TXST is 17-7 all-time in the Sun Belt opening series and has gone 6-2 in the conference opener.
 
In the seven games he has played, Davis Powell is batting .444 with six doubles, 12 runs, five RBI and a .543 OBP. Texas State is undefeated in games he has played. Jose Gonzalez leads the team with 27 RBI and 17 runs scored while sharing the team-high of seven home runs with Chase Mora (18 RBI). The senior outfielder comes in batting .407 and has drawn a team-high 13 walks.
 
Also with double-digit RBI this season are Ryder Hernandez (10), Daylan Pena (20) and August Ramirez (10). Pena has hit five long balls and four doubles. Both Peyton Lewis (4 RBI) and Ramirez (5 HR) are hitting .326.
 
Getting the start on Friday will be Cameron Bush, who has posted a 6.00 ERA in 9.0 innings over five relief appearances. It will be his 12th career start having made six in 2021 and five last season. Levi Wells comes in at 3-0 with a 0.51 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 17.2 innings will start on Saturday. Nathan Medrano (1-1, 21 K) will get start on the rubber in the series finale.
 
Triston Dixon (5.27 ERA, 3 SV) has made a team-high 10 appearances out of the bullpen. Jack Stroud has struck out 20 over seven relief appearances over 13.2 innings while posting a 1.32 ERA.
 
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS
The Golden Eagles enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak after defeating Southeastern Louisiana 8-1 on the road on Tuesday. USM is 1-1 in true road games with the other game being a loss at Ole Miss.
 
Three players are batting over .300 led by Slade Wilks at .389. He has hit a team-high four home runs and has driven in 11 runs. Dustin Dickerson enters hitting .355 with 22 hits, 14 runs scored and five stolen bases. Junior outfielder Matthew Etzel come in with a .319 average, 22 hits, two triples, 11 RBI and team best seven steals.
 
Only other players with multiple homers this season is Danny Lynch (14 RBI) and Christopher Sargent (9 RBI) with three and two, respectively.
 
Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year Tanner Hall is scheduled to start on Friday. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 22.0 innings and has struck out 20 over four starts. Matthew Adams has struck out 30 and is slated to get the ball on Saturday while Niko Mazza, the reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, will start the finale and enters with a 1.96 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
 
Earning three of the Golden Eagles' four saves has been Justin Storm. He has made a team-high eight appearances out of the bullpen and has a 6.23 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Also earning a save is Kros Sivley. He is 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
 
SERIES VS. GOLDEN EAGLES
This weekend will be the first-ever meeting between the programs.
 
For all things Texas State baseball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.