Tuesday’s performance was just what Texas State needed after a shutout loss to Appalachian State on Sunday.
The Bobcats exploded with 14 runs on 11 hits and six walks to blow past I-35 rival UTSA, 14-1, in front of 1,518 fans inside Bobcat Ballpark.
Head coach Ty Harrington believes Texas State put together one of its better offensive games this season against the Roadrunners.
“When we got men in scoring position today, we had better at-bats and I thought that was important for us, probably even more so that the number of hits,” Harrington said. “It was one of our better offensive games for sure.”
UTSA (13-16, 5-4 Conference USA) scored its lone run of the game in the first inning when senior designated hitter Ryan Stacy hit a solo homer.
Texas State (19-10, 6-3 Sun Belt) loaded the bases in the third inning with no outs. Junior designated hitter Will Hollis hit an RBI fielder’s choice to tie the game. A wild pitch allowed senior third baseman Jaylen Hubbard to score and give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead. An RBI single from redshirt senior center fielder Skyler Valentine brought home two more runs.
Texas State’s offensive onslaught continued in the fourth inning when it loaded the bases again. Junior second baseman Jaxon Williams drew an RBI walk to push the Bobcat advantage to 5-1. Hollis ripped a bases-clearing double to extend Texas State’s lead to 8-1.
Harrington said Hollis’ RBI double was huge for the Bobcats.
“We have to have guys in those moments that can clear the bases,” Harrington said. “A great swing on the ball. Jaxon Williams was at first and he had an unbelievable read on the play. I mean, he scored fairly easy on a double that they got to pretty quick. But we have to have that in the middle of the order that’s what those guys are in there to do.”
Added Hollis: “Anytime I can help the team win by moving somebody over or getting a big hit or anything to help us it’s awesome.”
Valentine brought Hollis home with an RBI double. Junior first baseman Cole Coffey hit a sac-fly that allowed Valentine to score. Redshirt senior left fielder Travon Benton scored the final run of the fourth inning with a solo homer to hand the Bobcats an 11-1 lead.
Texas State added two more runs in the sixth and one in the eighth to secure the 14-1 win.
Alongside the Bobcats’ strong offensive outing, Harrington was impressed with junior pitcher Garrett Herrmann, who earned Tuesday’s win. Herrmann settled in after allowing the early home run and struck out two in six innings of work.
“I also thought that Herrmann was really good tonight,” Harrington said. “Every time we scored, he went out and put a zero up, which is huge for momentum when you score because it keeps the other team from scoring. And so, I was proud of his effort tonight.”
Texas State secured this season's series victory over UTSA. The Bobcats will go for the sweep on April 30 in San Antonio.
“Anytime a rivalry comes in from the south and we get to beat up on them, it’s awesome,” Hollis said. “It was a good team win.”
Texas State returns to Sun Belt play with a three-game series against Troy, beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. inside Bobcat Ballpark.
