SAN MARCOS, Texas – Despite jumping out to an early 2-run advantage, Texas State fell to Grand Canyon 9-2 on Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Ballpark. The loss also allowed the Lopes to claim the series.

With the result, the Bobcats are now 6-4 on the season while GCU improved to 7-3.

Garrett Ahern struck out six in five innings to pick up the win while Elijah Higginbottom tossed the final four innings without allowing a hit and striking out five to pick up his first save of the season. Suffering the loss was Sam Hall (0-1) after he gave up four runs on four hits in 4.1 innings.

At the plate, Ryne Farber was the only TXST player with multiple hits as he finished with two. The sophomore also scored both of the team's runs. Plating a run apiece was Austin Eaton and Zachary Gingrich.

Farber led off the bottom of the first with a single and would later steal second. He advanced to third on a hard-hit ball by Farris that hit off the diving shortstop's glove. Eaton followed with a popup down the right field line that was caught on the run by the Lopes' second baseman. Farber tagged and slid across home plate safely to give the Bobcats an early 1-0 lead.

In the third, Farber started the frame with a single back up the middle. A pickoff attempt saw the ball get by the first baseman and the San Antonio native scampered all the way to third. He would score when Gingrich laced a single to right center to increase the advantage to two runs.

GCU got a run back in the fourth and took the lead for good with four more in the fifth. The visitors added two runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh and eighth for the final runs of the contest.

The series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch from Bobcat Ballpark..

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