Texas State Athletics

JONESBORO, Ark. – Freshman Wade Cooper threw a complete game in helping Texas State (29-21, 11-14 Sun Belt) defeating Arkansas State (28-20) Friday night 6-2 from Tomlison Stadium in the series opener.
 
"What a performance by Wade Cooper. He just competed all night and was rewarded with a complete game win," said head coach Steven Trout. "It feels really good to win on Friday. I felt like the offense was really good and a great job of two-out hitting. We have to get ready to go win a series tomorrow."
 
Cooper is the first Bobcat to throw a complete game on the road since Sam Hall did so at James Madison on Mar. 23, 2024. The Del Rio, Texas native improved to 5-3 on the season as he struck out a career-high 12 batters while giving up two runs on six hits. His strikeout total is the most by a TXST hurler this season and the most since Levi Wells punched out 13 against Marshall on Apr. 14, 2023.
 
Taking the loss was Andrew Allen (1-5) after surrendering three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
 
At the plate, Brady Boles, Jaquae Stewart and Justin Vossos all recorded two hits. Both Clayton Namken and Vossos drove in two runs apiece. Coming around to score two times was Rashawn Galloway and Stewart.
 
The Red Wolves struck first with a run in the opening frame on a sacrifice fly from Evan Griffis.
 
In the fourth, Galloway led off with a single to right center. Stewart would record an infield single and Namken worked a free pass to load the bases with one out. Two batters later, Vossos sent a 2-2 offering to left field to drive in two runs and put Texas State in front.
 
The lead was short-lived as Patrick Engskov led off the next half inning with a solo home run to tie the game.
 
Boles started the fifth off by doubling down the right field line. He moved into scoring position on a ground out and would come home when Manny Salas singled to right field to put the Bobcats back in front, 3-2.
 
With one out in the seventh, Tanner Carson laced a double down the left field line and would then be lifted for pinch runner Samson Pugh. A deep flyout to center allowed the junior to tag and move up to third. Following a walk to Salas, Stewart was plunked to load the bases and force an ASU pitching change. Namken hit a 2-2 offering back up the middle for an infield single and bring in a run to extend the lead.
 
The ninth began with Galloway working a free pass and then moved into scoring position on a stolen base. A hard-hit single to right off the bat of Stewart would put runners on the corners with one out. Namken would hit a slow grounder to the shortstop that brought home Galloway.
 
Bennett Fryman followed with a single to left that plated a run and extended the advantage to 6-2.
 
The Red Wolves would get two runners on base in the bottom of the frame. Cooper would strand both as he struck out the next two batters to wrap up his complete game effort.
 
Game two of the series is currently scheduled for a 6 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.
 
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