SAN MARCOS, Texas – Freshman Ryne Farber returned to the field for the first time since Mar. 24 and went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a double in helping Texas State to a 6-3 win over South Alabama in the series opener Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
The win sees the Bobcats move above .500 to 20-19 on the season with a 7-9 mark in the Sun Belt Conference while the Jaguars fall to 21-17 and 6-10 in league play.
Also recording a multi-hit night was Kameron Weil with two base knocks. He drove in a run along with Aaron Lugo, Chase Mora and Davis Powell.
Reaching base all four times at the plate was Cade Manning as he was walked twice, hit by a pitch once and hit a single. The senior also stole a base while Lugo swiped two bags.
Earning the win was Austin Eaton (3-3) as he struck out two in 4.1 innings out of the bullpen while giving up two runs on five hits. Claiming his first career save was Jonathan Martinez as he pitched the final 1.1 innings without giving up a run. Taking the loss after giving up two runs on four hits and three walks in the first 3.1 innings was Cam Hill (3-3).
Cameron Bush started on the rubber and tossed three scoreless innings with two punch outs and just one hit allowed. Also seeing action was Taylor Seay, who recorded one out.
The scoring for TXST started in the second. After Manning was plunked, he would steal second and come around to score as Powell sent a 1-2 offering to right field for a single.
In the fourth, Lugo led off with an infield single that hit off the South Alabama pitcher and the junior would then swipe second. Walks to Rashawn Galloway and Manning loaded the bases for Mora. The second baseman hit a slow chopper to the shortstop, whose only play was to first that allowed Lugo to score and make it 2-0.
The Jaguars threatened in the top of the fifth as they loaded the bases with two outs after a double and consecutive free passes. Eaton was able to induce a groundout to Mora to escape the jam unscathed.
Manning started the seventh off by laying down a bunt single to beat the shift. After Mora hit fly ball that fell in left field for a single, Powell was walked to load the bases. Farber sent a 1-2 pitch back up the middle for a two RBI single and Weil followed with a double to left center that plated a run. Lugo capped off the four-run frame with a sacrifice fly.
South Alabama cut the Bobcats' lead in half with a three-run eighth.
That would be all the runs the Jaguars would get as Martinez shut the visitors down to close out the game.
Game two of the series has been moved up from the original start time due to forecasted inclement weather. Saturday's contest will now begin at 11 a.m.
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