SAN MARCOS, Texas – Friday's series opener on a night with the windy consistently at 20 mph was a low scoring affair that saw Texas State (7-6) fall 3-2 to Sam Houston (9-5) at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
"It was a typical Friday night baseball game against a good, quality opponent. It was crazy with the win and definitely a pitchers' night. They found a way to make more pitches offensively and on the mound tonight," said head coach Steven Trout. "I thought our approach wasn't that great tonight. We have to get back to work tomorrow. The wind is going to do this all weekend and we must find a way to come out here with the same energy.
 
Daylan Pena had two of the Bobcats' five hits with both being doubles. He also drove in a run and scored once. Plating the team's other run was Davis Powell and Chase Mora came around to score one time.
 
Suffering the loss on the rubber was Jonathan Martinez (1-1) after he surrendered the go-ahead run while working two innings of relief. Wyatt Tucker (1-1) picked up the win as he allowed a run on three hits in two frames. Chandler David threw a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season.
 
Austin Eaton started and went 4.1 innings with two strikeouts and gave up two runs on five hits. Matthew Tippie didn't allow a run in two innings and recorded four punch outs. Working two-thirds of an inning was Rhett McCaffety.
 
TXST would be held hitless until the fourth inning when Mora singled up the middle. After August Ramirez worked a free pass, Pena hit a liner out to centerfield that saw Jake Tatom unable to make a diving catch and allow Mora to score for the first run of the game.
 
It would be a short-lived lead as the Bearkats plated two in the top of the fifth.
 
Pena started the bottom of the seventh by hitting a very hit popup that landed in fair territory near the first baseline. The junior was running all the way and slid into second for a double. Following a sacrifice bunt moved the Corpus Christi native into scoring position, Powell beat out an infield single to the shortstop to tie the game at 2-2.
 
The Bobcats had a chance to retake the lead in the frame as Cade Manning singled down the left field line to put two on with one out. However, a double play was induced to end the inning.
 
Sam Houston responded in the next half inning as it was able to load the bases on two singles and a walk. Another free pass with two outs brought in the go-ahead run.
 
The final six batters were all retired in order to close out the game.
 
Saturday will see the teams return to action in San Marcos with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
 
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