Bobcats Beat Troy with Strong Defense and Bats

Written by Dan Shedd

After a 7-3 win Friday night against Troy, the Texas State Bobcats came into Saturday’s game looking to win the second game of the series.

In the first few innings, defense and pitching were on display as Trey Hicks made not one, but two sensational plays at third base that were SportsCenter worthy.

Taylor Black was pitching for the Bobcats and didn’t allow a run until the fourth inning. Texas State’s Cory Geisler gave the ‘Cats some offensive momentum by singling in Colby Targun after an error by Troy’s left fielder in the third. Troy answered back in the fourth with Jo-El Bennett homered to left field to tie the game up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. Taylor Black gave up a double to Nick Masonia of Troy who was brought in to score by Tevin Hill to give Troy an early 2-1 advantage.

Texas State would not go down quietly in the bottom of the inning as the Bobcats put pressure on Troy pitcher Tanner Hicks after he walked two consecutive batters. Granger Studdard moved both Garrett Mattladge and Ben McElroy up a base with a single. The very next play, McElroy scored on a passed ball and Studdard moved up to second base with the Cats and Trojans tied at 2.

Austin O’Neal drove in Mattlage on a sacrifice fly RBI, giving the Bobcats the 3-2 lead. Texas State would not score until the 8th inning to seal the victory. Cory Geisler singled to first and Ben McElroy bunted over Geisler to second. Garret Mattlage singled to first but advanced to second over a fielding error by Troy’s right fielder. Geisler ended up scoring as a result of the throwing error, giving Texas State a 4-2 lead. Granger Studdard made it 5-2 with an RBI single.

Hunter Lemke closed out the ballgame for the Bobcats, which gave him his 10th save of the year, breaking the Bobcat record for most saves in a season. Texas State can clinch a Sun Belt Conference tournament birth with a win Sunday.