SAN MARCOS, Texas – Junior third baseman Chase Mora came up with a clutch hit in the bottom of the eighth to drive in the lone run of the game in Texas State's 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday afternoon to even up the Sun Belt Conference series.

The Bobcats improved to 12-14 on the season and 4-4 in conference play while the Chanticleers fell to 19-8 overall and 5-3 in league action.

It was the first 1-0 victory for TXST since Mar. 1, 2019 versus Rice in the Shriners College Classic that was played at newly named Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros. Last time a 1-0 win happened in San Marcos was against Louisiana Tech on Apr. 12, 2013.

Earning the victory on the rubber was Matthew Tippie (2-0) after he pitched a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts. Carson Laws struck out the side in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.

Jesus Tovar started and went a season-high seven innings. The lefty struck out six while giving up three hits and walks.

The lone Texas State batter with multiple hits was Ryne Farber with two singles. Alan Shibley hit a double while Dawson Park scored the game's lone run.

In the top of the fourth, CCU had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard after the first three batters reached via two walks sandwiching a hit by pitch. Tovar got the next two batters to strikeout swinging and then Wells Sykes hit a deep fly to right that was caught by Shibley on the warning track to end the threat.

Rocco Garza-Gongora led off the next half inning and moved up to second as a pickoff throw got away from the first baseman. However, the junior outfielder would be stranded there.

The Chanticleers were able to get two runners on base in the fifth but saw a double play started by Farber end the frame.

Blake Barthol worked a free pass to start the sixth. He would advance to second on a balk and to third on a deep flyout to right center. Tovar left the CCU second baseman stranded on third as he struck out the next two batters.

The bottom of the eighth began with Park hitting a 0-2 pitch to right center for a single. Samson Pugh laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the freshman into scoring position. A hard-hit single to left by Farber put runners on the corners.

After a strikeout, Mora came to the plate. He fouled off five straight pitches before sending the eighth pitch of the at bat back up the middle for a single that plated Park.

Laws came in and needed 14 pitches to strike out the side in the ninth with the last one caught looking to conclude the victory.

Sunday's series finale is scheduled for an 11 a.m. first pitch.

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