SAN MARCOS, Texas – For the third time in four years, Texas State (4-0) will host a Big Ten Conference team at Bobcat Ballpark when Illinois (2-1) comes to town for a three-game series. Saturday's series opener is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. first pitch and Sunday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.

None of the games will be streamed on ESPN+ but fans catch the twin bill on KTSW 89.9 FM. Live stats will be available for all three contests.

PROBABLY STARTING PITCHERS

Saturday: TXST RHP Jackson Teer (0-0) vs. ILL RHP

Sunday GM 1: TXST RHP Sam Hall (0-0) vs. ILL RHP

Sunday GM 2: TXST RHP Austin Eaton (1-0) vs. ILL RHP

ABOUT TEXAS STATE

The Bobcats are off to their best start since 2023 and the fifth-best mark in program history. The record for the most consecutive wins to begin a season is 10 games that was accomplished in 1990. Tuesday saw TXST claim a 4-2 victory over 19th-ranked Oklahoma State behind 17 strikeouts from the pitching staff. It was the most punch outs in a game since also recording 17 against Louisiana on May 26, 2023 in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Ethan Farris leads the Bobcats with a .500 batting average and six RBI. Scoring a team-high four runs has been Ryne Farber, who is also batting .385 with two doubles and has stolen two bases. Also hitting over .300 is Samson Pugh at .333.

Getting the ball in the series opener will be Jackson Teer. In his first start in a Texas State uniform last Friday, the right-hander struck out seven in 3.2 innings. Sam Hall is slated to start the first game on Sunday and enters with four strikeouts in four innings of work. Rounding out the rotation will be Austin Eaton. He is 1-0 with 1.50 ERA and three strikeouts over a team-high six innings.

Carson Laws leads the nation with three saves and has recorded four strikeouts. Bryson Dudley is 2-0 with a team-high 12 strikeouts over 5.2 innings. Making three appearances in relief has been Matthew Tippie, who has yet to allow a hit in 2.2 frames.

ABOUT ILLINOIS

The Illini opened the season with a three-game series at Abilene Christian. After dropping the season opener, they responded by winning the next two games. Illinois plays its first nine games on the road before its home opener against Eastern Illinois on Mar. 4.

Hitting over .400 is Cameron Chee-Aloy (.455), Nick Groves (.444), Kyle Schupmann (.417) and Vytas Valincius (.417). Greg LaChance (.385 AVG) and Valeincius both have a team-high five RBI while a team leading two home runs have come off the bat of Drake Westcott.

Getting the ball in the series opener will be Tyler Schmitt, who has struck out two and walked four in 3.1 innings. Ben Plumley will start in the first game on Sunday and enters with a 1.80 ERA, six strikeouts and four walks over five frames. The finale will see Julius Sanchez start on the rubber. The right-hander has a team-high 10 punch outs that came in seven innings of work and also sports a 0.57 WHIP and 1.29 ERA.

Sam Reed has thrown a team-high 2.2 innings in relief that came in his lone appearance of the season. He struck out three in that contest. Ryan Daly (1-0, 2 K), Regan Hall (1-0, 2 K) and Luke Weber (0-1, 1 K) have all pitched two innings out of the pen.

SERIES VS. ILLINI

Texas State leads the all-time series 3-0. This weekend will be the first-ever series between the programs. Last time the teams played was in Edinburg, Texas on Feb. 23, 2008 that ended 2-1. The teams also played a 2-1 contest in Round Rock, Texas on Mar. 13, 2024. The first-ever meeting saw the Bobcats win 6-0 in San Marcos on Mar. 15, 1995.

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