SAN MARCOS, Texas – Senior two-way player Austin Eaton hit his first career home run in a Texas State uniform on Saturday. It came in the Bobcats' 15-3 loss to Illinois in the delayed series opener at Bobcat Ballpark.

With the result, TXST fell to 4-1 on the season while the Illini are now 3-1 on the young campaign.

Tyler Schmitt (1-0) picked up the win after striking out three in six innings while giving up three runs on five hits. Jake Swartz pitched the final three innings to earn his first save of the year. Taking the loss on the rubber was Jackson Teer (0-1) as he gave up four runs on three hits with two strikeouts over 2.2 innings.

Connor Doucet (0.2 IP) and Cameron O'Banan (0.1 IP) were the only Bobcat hurlers to see action and not give up a run.

Both Ethan Farris and Eaton had two hits and scored a run apiece. Eaton drove in two runs and Farris plated one. Also finishing with a base knock and scored once was Zachary Gingrich.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Farris singled just past the third baseman to bring home Gingrich from second.

Illinois answered back with a run in the second and went ahead for good with five runs in the third.

Farris led off the fourth with a single back up the middle. Eaton would then connect on a 0-1 offering in the bottom of the fourth that landed in the netting above the left field wall. His first career homer traveled 359 feet and cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Illini would score nine unanswered runs over the final five innings.

Sunday will see the series wrap up with a doubleheader. Game one of the twin bill is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.

For all things Texas State baseball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.