The Bobcats won their season opening series against Binghamton, beating the Bearcats 8-7.
Texas State and Head Coach Steven Trout improve their overall record to 2-0 for the season.
“Back to back games, it hasn't been how we drew it up, right?,” Trout said. “Maybe on the pitching yesterday, but the key is we're finding ways to win right now. I take wins over losses any day. It's still February and we are finding ways to piece it together.”
Binghamton struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning to lead 2-0 over the Bobcats.
Despite the rough start, Trout had the confidence in his junior starting pitcher Sam Hall.
“Honestly for me, it was just a pat on the butt and let [Coach Massangale] do his job,” Trout said. “Sam’s been through the battles. Even though it's his first time this season, he's done it for a while. You have to find a way to get it going.
“He did a great job. That's why we work on the middle game so hard of having a bad first and then he gave us three more really quality endings. That's what toughness is all about, being able to overcome it, get those nerves out and go back to pitching.”
Hall finished the game throwing four innings, allowing just two hits, two earned runs, four walks and striking out four batters.
In the second inning, the Bobcats put runners on first and second with two outs. Facing a 0-1 count, sophomore shortstop Ryne Farber hit a double towards left-center field to score both runners and tie the game at 2-2.
Texas State later took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Loading the bases with no outs, sophomore rightfielder Samson Pugh hit a sacrifice fly in deep right field to score freshman leftfielder Gregory Gingrich and give the Bobcats the lead at 3-2.
In the next at-bat, senior catcher Aaron Munguia connected with a single through the left side of the infield, scoring centerfielder Ethan Farris and extending the lead 4-2.
Freshman second baseman Dawson Park, who celebrated his birthday, hit a RBI single through the left side of his own, scoring first baseman Coy DeFury.
At the end of the third inning, Texas State led 5-2.
The lead did not last long. In the top of the fifth inning, Binghamton loaded up the bases with one out. The Bearcats then connected with a grand slam that put the visitors up 6-5 over the Bobcats.
Texas State responded in the bottom of the sixth. Senior designated hitter Austin Eaton and Gingrich hit a single and a double to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Farris hit into a fielder’s choice to score Eaton at third while Gingrich moved to third base.
DeFury hit a sac fly deep into left center field, allowing the Bobcats to retake the lead at 7-6.
The Bobcats continued the inning by forcing three consecutive walks to load up the bases with two outs.
Farber earned the RBI by forcing the fourth consecutive walk, scoring Pugh and pushing the Bobcat lead to 8-6.
Binghamton attempted a comeback in the top of the ninth inning, scoring one run but junior closer Carson Laws earned his second save of the year to seal the 8-7 lead.
Texas State will look to complete the sweep Sunday.
