TROY, Ala. – Down to its final strike twice in the ninth inning, Texas State (26-15, 10-8 Sun Belt) scored five runs in the frame to comeback and take the series finale 9-5 over Troy (28-12, 10-8 Sun Belt) Sunday afternoon from Riddle-Pace Field.
 
"That's a really good toughness win on the road. This is a crazy game and you have to compete until the last out and our guys did that," said head coach Steven Trout. "Some clutch at bats and big time pitches all day long. I'm Really proud of how this group battled today.
 
Earning the win was Triston Dixon (3-1) as he worked the final 1.2 innings and struck out three. Ben Thompson (4-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs on four walks and one hit over 3.2 innings.
 
Zeke Wood recorded six strikeouts and gave up two runs over four innings as he started on the rubber. His fourth punch out of the game was the 200th of his career as he became the 11th Bobcat in program history to reach the mark. Jack Stroud recorded three strikeouts over 3.1 innings while giving up two runs on two base knocks.
 
Rashawn Galloway was the lone TXST batter to finish with more than one base knock as he recorded a double and single. Both he and Chase Mora drove in two runs in the contest. Also finishing with an RBI was Jose Gonzalez, Ryan Leary, Ben McClain and August Ramirez. Coming around to score twice was Daylan Pena.
 
The Bobcats got on the scoreboard first for the third time this series in the first inning. With the bases loaded, Mora sent a 1-0 pitch back up the middle for a two RBI single.

M1 | Mora with a single back up the middle with the bases loaded for the early lead.

TXST 2
Troy 0#EatEmUp #SlamMarcos x @chasemora11 pic.twitter.com/4MwrDaHMuF

— Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) April 23, 2023

 
In the bottom of the frame, the Trojans responded with a run behind a TXST error. The hosts would tie the game in the third on a Kole Myers solo homer.
 
Back-to-back doubles by Galloway and Leary began the fourth and put Texas State back in the lead. Two groundouts would also bring Leary around to score to make it a 4-2 advantage after the frame.

Galloway begins the 4th with a double!#EatEmUp #SlamMarcos x @RashawnGalloway pic.twitter.com/3VJBYXqLjQ

— Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) April 23, 2023

Leary makes it back-to-back doubles to start the 4th and retake the lead!#EatEmUp #SlamMarcos x @RyanLeary16 pic.twitter.com/3PS8kpkXcw

— Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) April 23, 2023

 
Troy got a run back on another solo home run, this time off the bat of Tremayne Cobb, in the seventh to make it a one-run ballgame. An inning later, the Trojans' Caleb Bartolero hits a two-run long ball that gave them a 5-4 advantage.
 
Leary was able to work a free pass to leadoff the ninth and was pinch ran for by Damian Whitfield. After back-to-back flyouts, Davis Powell was able to foul off a pitch on a 3-2 offering before drawing a walk a pitch later. Gonzalez fell behind 1-2 in the count but was able to lace a single to right field that tied the game.

Brother ties the game!#EatEmUp #SlamMarcos x @JGonzalez0815 pic.twitter.com/3UCaaXwJnz

— Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) April 23, 2023

 
Following a pitching change, Pena drew a walk to load the bases and then Ramirez was plunked on the first pitch to him that put the Bobcats back in the lead. A wild pitch allowed Gonzalez to score and following a free pass to Mora, Galloway singled to left field that drove in two more runs to put TXST ahead 9-5.

Augie is plunked with the bases loaded and we are back in front!#EatEmUp #SlamMarcos x @AugustRamirez2 pic.twitter.com/AqT11WtM0C

— Texas State Baseball (@TxStateBaseball) April 23, 2023

 
Dixon closed out the game with three consecutive strikeouts as Texas State salvaged the series.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is a midweek game against Prairie View A&M on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Bobcat Ballpark.
 
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