SAN MARCOS, Texas – Sunday saw Texas State and Illinois split a doubleheader to wrap up the series on Sunday at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats claimed the first game 5-2 while the Illini claimed the series finale 7-4.

With the results, TXST is now 5-2 on the season while Illinois is 4-2.

Game 1

Earning the win on the rubber in the first game of the twin bill was Bryson Dudley (3-0). The right-hander struck out four in four scoreless innings of action. Ben Plumley (0-1) surrendered three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings to take the loss.

Sam Hall started on the mound and went five innings where he struck out two and gave up two runs on two hits and four walks.

At the plate, both Austin Eaton and Austin Munguia hit solo home runs. Munguia drove in two runs while Ryne Farber and Eaton plated a run apiece. Cameron Thompson ended the game by scoring two runs and both he and Farber stole a base.

The Bobcats were able to load the bases with one out in the second on singles from Samson Pugh and Thompson and Munguia walking on four pitches. Farber hit a weak grounder to the second baseman that saw the visitors go to second for the only possible out. It also allowed Thompson to score to give TXST an early 1-0 lead.

The advantage would be short-lived. Vytas Valincius hit a two-run homer in the next half inning to put Illinois in front.

Pugh led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple to right center and would come home a pitch later when Munguia singled through the right side to tie the game. The junior catcher smacked his first home run as a Bobcat in the sixth on a 0-2 offering to left center.

In the eighth, Eaton smacked a solo shot to left field for his second round tripper in as many games. Capping off the scoring was Thompson in the eighth. He reached on a throwing error by the catcher on a bunt and advanced to second on a Pugh sacrifice bunt. Thompson would steal third and score as the throw was wild from the catcher.

Game 2

On the rubber, Eaton (1-1) took the loss after striking out four in three innings but allowing three runs on three hits. Julius Sanchez (1-0) struck out three in five innings to claim the win while Ryan Daly tossed 2.1 scoreless inning with three punch outs for his first save of the season.

Matthew Tippie finished with four strikeouts in two innings out of the bullpen. Carson Laws had three punch outs in 1.2 innings and Ryan Lawton recorded two punch outs in his inning of relief.

At the plate, Chase Mora went 2-for-5 with three RBI and one double. Farber was also 2-for-5 while scoring once and driving in a run. Thompson finished with two base knocks and came around to score twice.

Illinois struck first with two runs in the first with two outs. The Bobcats appeared to end the frame without giving up a run when Kyle Schupmann popped out to Thompson at first base. The senior caught the ball while standing on the bag and getting run into by Nick Groves returning to the base. The umpires ruled runner interference for a possible inning-ending double play.

However, after meeting the umpires ruled Groves out for interference but called the ball dead that awarded first base to Schupmann to extend the frame.

Mora would tie the game up in the third when he hit a rocket shot back up the middle that deflected off the second baseman's glove for a single. Both Theo Kummer and Thompson would score on the base knock.

The Illini would retake the lead with a run in the fifth and extend it with two more in the sixth.

In the bottom of the seventh, Thompson worked a free pass to start the frame and would later move into scoring position on a wild pitch. Farber singled to right to drive in a run.

Mora followed by lacing a 1-1 offering down the left field line for a double that saw Farber slide in safely to cut the deficit to 5-4. Zachary Gingrich singled to the shortstop to put runners on the corners but a strikeout ended Texas State's threat.

Illinois scored the final runs of the game when Jacob Schroeder hit a two-run homer over the left centerfield wall in the top of the eighth.

Next for the Bobcats is a trip to College Station on Tuesday to take on current No. 1 ranked Texas A&M. The first pitch from Blue Bell Park is slated for 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.

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