SAN MARCOS, Texas – This weekend, Texas State (17-8, 3-3 Sun Belt) is back home for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against Arkansas State (8-14, 0-4 Sun Belt). Friday's opener will begin at 6 p.m. and followed by a 2:30 p.m. start on Saturday. The finale on Sunday sees first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
All three contests will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Ty Harrington on the call. Fans can also catch the series finale on KTSW 89.9 FM.
 
BARK IN THE PARK
Saturday is Bark in the Park Day at Bobcat Ballpark. Dog TXST bandanas will be given away while supplies last. Water bowls and clean up bags will be provided during the game. Toys, food and other items will also be collected for the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. Before entering the ballpark, fans bringing their dog to the stadium that need to provide proof of vaccination and sign a waiver & release form.
 
PARKING
Due to other events going in and around Strahan Arena, fans are highly encouraged to park in the Bobcat Stadium West Lot that is behind right field of Bobcat Ballpark on Friday and Saturday.
 
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: TXST RHP Levi Wells (4-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. ASU LHP Hunter Draper (0-2, 5.76 ERA)
Saturday: TXST RHP Zeke Wood (1-1, 4.98 ERA) vs. ASU RHP Kyler Carmack (1-1, 2.67 ERA)
Sunday: TXST RHP Tony Robie (3-0, 4.19 ERA) vs. ASU TBA
 
ABOUT TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats enter the weekend having won two straight games after claiming the series finale at Coastal Carolina and winning Wednesday at UTRGV. This weekend are the only home games during an 11-game stretch.
 
Davis Powell enters the series leading Texas State with a .407 batting average and 10 doubles. He has also scored 21 runs, driven in 17 and hit three home runs. Jose Gonzalez has a team-high 35 RBI behind eight homers, seven doubles and one triples while also hitting .341 with 24 runs scored.
 
Continuing to lead the team with nine homers is Chase Mora (.305, 26 RBI). Also batting over .300 is August Ramirez at .304. He has seven home runs and 15 RBI as well.
 
Friday night will see Levi Wells get the ball to start the game. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA and has struck out 36 in 25.0 innings. Zeke Wood is slated to go on Saturday and is sporting a 1-1 record, 4.98 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. Getting the ball on Sunday will be Tony Robie. The right-hander comes in at 3-0 with a 4.19 ERA and 18 strikeouts and will be making his second start of the week after throwing the first three frames at UTRGV.
 
Triston Dixon (1-0, 4.64 ERA, 4 SV) has made a team-high 13 appearances out of the bullpen. Jack Stroud has struck out 29 over 11 relief appearances and 20.0 innings while posting a 3.15 ERA. Both Carson Keithley (1-0, 1 SV) and Otto Wofford (2-0, 5.19 ERA) have appeared in nine games in relief.
 
ABOUT ARKANSAS STATE
The Red Wolves enter having won twice in their last 11 games. Their most recent contest saw them come out victorious 10-7 at Central Arkansas on Tuesday. ASU is 1-6 on the road that saw them be swept by Louisiana two weeks ago. Dating back to last season, the Red Wolves have lost 14 consecutive Sun Belt Conference games with the last win coming at UT Arlington by a 9-2 score in 10 innings on Apr. 30, 2022.
 
Will French leads the squad with a .352 average, 31 hits, 28 runs, 18 walks and six stolen bases. He has 14 RBI and is one of four players, along with Blake Burris, Kody Darcy and Brandon Hager, to have hit a team-high two homers. Both Cross Jumper (.303) and Hager (.329, 16 RBI) are batting over. 300. Darcy paces the team with 12 doubles and 29 RBI while batting .293.
 
Taking the ball in the series opener is Hunter Draper, who is 0-2 with a 5.76 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 25.0 innings. Redshirt freshman Kyler Carmack takes the hill Saturday. The lefty is 1-1 with a staff-low 2.67 ERA and has struck out 26 in 27.0 innings spanning eight games, including four starts. Sunday's starter is to be announced.
 
Earning a save apiece has been Jake Algee (4.50 ERA) and Kevin Wiseman (1-1, 2.25 ERA). A team-high 10 relief appearances have been made by Arlo Butts (2-1, 5.17 ERA, 15 K).
 
SERIES VS. RED WOLVES
The all-time series with Arkansas State is tied 14-14. Last season saw Texas State sweep the three-game series in Jonesboro, Arkansas and the Bobcats have now won seven of the last eight meetings.
 
When hosting the Red Wolves, TXST is 6-7 but have won five of the last six games. Last time the teams met in San Marcos was Apr. 23-25, 2021. The Bobcats won the first two games before falling in the finale.
 
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