SAN MARCOS, Texas – A big three-game series between two of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference takes place this weekend at Bobcat Ballpark as Texas State (15-10, 4-2 Sun Belt) faces Louisiana (17-8, 5-1 Sun Belt). Both games on Thursday and Friday will start at 6 p.m. and Saturday's finale is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
 
All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Ty Harrington on the call. Live stats will also be available.
 
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER
Thursday: TXST RHP Austin Eaton (2-1, 4.10 ERA) vs. LA LHP Andrew Herrmann (1-1, 2.54 ERA)
Friday: TXST RHP Sam Hall (1-1, 3.04 ERA) vs. LA LHP Chase Morgan (1-1, 2.22 ERA)
Saturday: TXST RHP Drayton Brown (0-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. LA TBA
 
ABOUT TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats are one of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt Conference having posted an 8-2 record over their last 10 games. They opened league play with two series victories with one at home over App State and taking a road series against James Madison. Last time TXST won its first two conference series was in 2022.
 
Rashawn Galloway has been swinging a hot bat over the last five games. He is hitting a team best .500 (10-for-20) with six RBI, six runs, five doubles and one home run in that span. For the season, the sophomore is batting .317 with 15 runs scored, six doubles and team leading two triples.
 
Leading the way with a .367 batting average is Kameron Weil, who enters on a five-game hitting streak. Ryne Farber is hitting .359 with 22 runs scored, 18 RBI and is the seventh toughest batter to strikeout in the nation. A team leading eight home runs have been hit by Aaron Lugo (.321 AVG, 24 RBI), while Daylan Pena has driven in a team-high 26 runs along with posting 10 doubles. Also hitting over .300 is Alec Patino at .318.
 
Scheduled to start on Thursday is Austin Eaton, who comes in with a 2-1 record, 4.10 ERA and 21 strikeouts. Sam Hall looks to care over his complete game performance against the Dukes into Friday's game. Rounding out the rotation is Drayton Brown as the right-hander gets the call for Saturday's contest.
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns are riding an eight-game winning streak and have won 12 of their last 14 since dropping all three of their games at the Astros Foundation College Classic. They opened Sun Belt action with a loss at Arkansas State but have won their last five league games including a sweep over Old Dominion last weekend.
 
Hitting a team best .404 is Trey LaFleur while he has added three homers, 15 runs and 13 RBI. Lee Amedee comes in batting .310 with six doubles and 12 RBI while Kyle DeBarge posted a .307 average along with a team-high 28 RBI, 25 runs scored and eight home runs.
 
Louisiana will be throwing two lefties to start the weekend. Taking the mound first will be Andrew Herrmann, who has struck out 34 in 28.1 innings. Chase Morgan gets the call on Friday and has 23 punch outs in 24.1 innings over 10 appearances including four starts. Saturday's starter is still to be announced.
 
Earning a team-high three saves has been Matthew Holzhammer. The junior has come out of the bullpen 11 times to post a 2-0 record, 3.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 12 innings. Making a team-high 13 relief appearances has been Steven Cash (2-0, 3.29 ERA, 17 K). LP Langevin has recorded a staff best 42 strikeouts in 26.0 innings. The junior right-hander is 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA in 26.0 frames.
 
SERIES VS. THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
The Cajuns lead the all-time series 30-21 and have won the last six games. Last season saw them win all five meetings with a regular season sweep at home and defeating Texas State twice in the Sun Belt Tournament.
 
Last time the Bobcats won was on May 15, 2022 in San Marcos as they completed a sweep to clinch at least a share of the Sun Belt regular season title. TXST is 10-6 all-time when hosting the Cajuns and have won the last five contests at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
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