College Baseball: Bobcats ready for test at BU

When Texas State released its 2013 baseball schedule, it looked as if tonight’s game against Baylor would be the Bobcats’ first against a nationally-ranked opponent.
After all, Baylor opened the season ranked as high as No. 23 in national polls after advancing to the NCAA Super Regional last season.

But since suffering three losses at Cal State-Irvine last weekend, the Bears have fallen out of the national polls.

None of that really matters to Texas head coach Ty Harrington, who is more concerned about getting his Bobcats back on track after a rough, but competitive weekend that saw State go 1-2, dropping two games by just one run.

And even though the Bobcats are coming off a 10-9 loss to Sam Houston State, the team found some late momentum, rallying back from an 8-1 deficit in the bottom of the seventh only to give up two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Texas State pinch hitter Cory Geisler ignited the surge with his bases-loaded double that scored three runs, as Brooks Orton plated another run with his triple to deep left-center and would later score on a fielder’s choice.

Sophomore left fielder Colby Targun followed with a single, as J.D. Stinnett was hit by a pitch bringing Morgan Mickan to the plate. Mickan blasted a triple to right center that gave the Bobcats an 8-9 lead.

Harrington called on closer Hunter Lemke to finish the game and he did not allow a run in the eighth inning. But the Bobcats couldn’t score in the eighth as a pair of singles, followed by a 2-RBI double from Luke Pluchek, allowed the Bearkats to regain the lead in the top of the ninth.

Sam Houston reliever Logan Boyd struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.

Baylor has six returning starters back from last season’s 49-17 team, which finished ranked No. 9 in the nation after losing to Arkansas in the Super Regional.

The Bears lost their 2013 season-opening series at UC-Irvine by scores of, 6-4, 5-0 and 15-3.

The Bobcats (1-2) have lost the last three meetings against Baylor, as Texas State’s last win over the Bears March 1, 2001 scoring a 13-2 victory in Waco.

First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.