SAN MARCOS, Texas – Friday's series opener saw South Alabama (28-18, 12-10 Sun Belt) score five runs over the first two innings on a blustery, cold night at Irvine-Rasmussen Ballpark. Texas State (27-19, 10-12 Sun Belt) was unable to overcome the early deficit and eventually fell 6-2.
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Zach Stevens (6-1) threw the final 4.1 innings and struck out six to earn the win.
Wade Cooper (4-3) struck out three but surrendered five runs on five hits and five walks over four frames to take the loss.
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Alizaeh Gutierrez recorded three strikeouts in three innings of relief. Also working a frame out of the bullpen was
Shane Connell and
Colby Diaz.
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The Bobcats had 10 hits on the night with all of them being singles. Both
Brady Boles and
Rashawn Galloway posted two base knocks apiece. Driving in a run were
Jaquae Stewart and Galloway while coming around to score were
Justin Vossos and Boles.
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South Alabama began the game with a two-run first and tacked on three more in the second.
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Boles singled through the left side of the infield with one out in the third. He advanced to second on a groundout and then came around to score when Stewart singled to right field to put TXST on the scoreboard.
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Texas State was able to load the bases in both the fifth and seventh innings but were unable to bring home a run either time. Two more runners were left in scoring position in the sixth that saw the frame end with back-to-back strikeouts.
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In the top of the eight, the Jaguars added an insurance run on a single back up the middle to go back up by five.
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Vossos led off the next half inning with a single back up the middle. He would move to third when the South Alabama right fielder made a sliding catch and tried to double up the junior infielder at first. However, the throw was wide and deflected off the first baseman's glove into the visitor's dugout.
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The Missouri City, Texas native came home when Galloway smoked a 0-2 pitch to left field for a single.
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Game two of the series is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.
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