SAN MARCOS, Texas – A big series takes place this weekend at Irvine-Rasmussen Ballpark when Texas State (27-18, 10-11 Sun Belt) hosts South Alabama (27-18, 11-10 Sun Belt). Friday's opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be followed by a 2:30 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
 
All three contests will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
 
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: TXST RHP Wade Cooper (4-2) vs. USA RHP Mitchell Heer (4-2)
Saturday: TXST RHP Cade Smith (3-1) vs. USA RHP Ryland Bozenhard (2-2)
Sunday: TXST TBA vs. USA RHP Danile Gonzalez (4-2)
 
ABOUT TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats have dropped their last three Sun Belt Conference series with two coming on the road versus nationally ranked Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss. TXST is 20-7 at home this season with a 6-3 record in league games.
 
Rashawn Galloway heads into the weekend leading the team with a .349 average, 66 hits, 22 doubles and three triples. He has added 40 runs, 37 RBI and eight home runs.
 
Both Dawson Park and Jaquae Stewart have hit a team-high 13 home runs each. Four of the long balls from Stewart have been grand slams, which is the most ever by a Bobcat in a season. Also with double-digit round trippers are Jackson Cotton (42 R, 30 RBI) and Manny Salas (.307, 41 R, 31 RBI).
 
Slated to start on Friday is Wade Cooper, who comes in with a 4-2 record, five saves, 4.03 RA and 43 strikeouts in 38.0 innings. Cade Smith will get the ball on Saturday and sports a 3-1 record, 3.13 ERA and 31 punch outs in 46.0 innings. Sunday's starter is still to be announced.
 
ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA
The Jaguars come into the series having won their last two games and eight of their last 11 contests. They are 10-8 when playing away from home, 9-7 in true road contests and have a 4-5 mark in the Sun Belt. This weekend is the first of two straight on the road for South Alabama.
 
Brennon Wright comes in leading the team with a .356 average, 40 runs and eight stolen bases. He has also hit 11 doubles and driven in 30 runs. Also hitting over .300 is Stewart Puckett (.317), who has totaled eight homers and 34 RBI. Leading the way with 14 long balls and 44 RBI is Blake Guerin. Both he and Ethan Melton have a team-high 12 doubles.
 
Getting the ball on Friday will be Mitchell Heer, who is 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA and tied for the team lead with 54 strikeouts. Ryland Bozenhard is 2-2 with a 5.86 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 43.0 innings will take the mound on Saturday. Rounding out the rotation is Daniel Gonzalez. The right-hander has punched out 54 in 56.2 innings and sports a 3.49 ERA.
 
SERIES VS. JAGUARS
South Alabama leads the all-time series 22-11 having won the series the last three seasons. The only two times that Texas State won a series over the Jaguars was in 2022 and 2021 with both taking place in San Marcos. When hosting USA, the Bobcats are 7-11 all-time.
 
For all things Texas State baseball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.