Bobcats Win Back-to-Back Midweek Matchups

By Kyle Owen
Sports Reporter

Texas State baseball won both of its games played this week, 12-8, on Tuesday against the University of the Incarnate Word and, 6-2, on Wednesday against Sam Houston State.

Tuesday, the Bobcats hit the road for the first time in their 2023 campaign – traveling only (miles) down I-35 to San Antonio. After a rough series against Oral Roberts, only compiling 11 hits over three games, the ‘Cats matched their hit numbers against the Cardinals, putting up 12 runs on 11 hits in the win.

Head Coach Steven Trout and his bobcats not only had their first business trip of the season, but they also played their first-midweek game as well – games where most teams are trying out new things. This is especially true early in the season. So, for Trout, getting his first win at the Incarnate Word was a major positive.

“First Tuesday game,” Coach Trout said. “Anytime you get a win in a midweek game – they’re never easy. Teams are going deep in their staff and you’re trying to find ways to keep scoring … I’m proud of the guys … just kept scrapping away.”

After getting the first-midweek game of the season out of the way, the next day, the Bobcats were right back in action against the Sam Houston State Bearkats in San Marcos. Coach Trout knew his team needed to take the momentum from the big road win to keep up the energy – especially with only one day of rest over five games in six days for the Bobcats, and fortunately, they weren’t the only ones.

“It’s momentum, right,” Coach Trout said. “For one, you’ve got to get your energy back tomorrow – that’s always the first scare. Luckily, they’re playing tonight too. And you’ve got to get back in your home ballpark and get your energy going, get your effort going again, and pick up right where you left off. But hopefully, our momentum caries a little bit from what we did offensively tonight and take it over into tomorrow and have another big day.”

And that they did, the Bobcats, Wednesday took down the Bearkats 6-2 in dominate fashion – the bullpen allowing no hits after junior starting pitcher Payton Zabel was sat down after two innings on the mound, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three batters.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Carson Keithley would be credited with the win on two innings of work, allowing only a walk and striking out two Bearkats. And the rest of the bullpen, Reece Gould, Rhett McCaffety, Tony Robie, and Triston Dixon, would follow behind throwing the final five innings of the game without allowing a hit and striking out seven more Bearkats.

Also, for the first time in 2023, the Bobcats found a way to win without the use of a home run – the ‘Cats had homered in every contest at least once up until Wednesday night. Senior left fielder Jose Gonzalez led the way in hits with three on the night while sophomore first baseman Daylan Pena knocked in two runs along with senior catcher Peyton Lewis, grabbing his first two RBIs in the young season for the Bobcats.

Featured Image from Kyle Owen