By Daven Meredith
Sports Reporter
SAN MARCOS, Texas –Texas State Head Coach Steven Trout makes history as the fastest coach in program history to hit 100 wins for the Bobcats, defeating the Arkansas State Red Wolves 2-1 in their three-game series.
Texas State improves to (19-9) on the season and (5-4) in Sun Belt play. The Red Wolves fall to (9-16) overall and (1-6) in the Sun Belt.
The Bobcats opened up the three-game series to the Red Wolves Friday at Bobcat Ballpark, struggling on the mound. Starting pitcher Levi Wells gave up two home runs in the top of the first to give the Red Wolves a three-run lead.
In the bottom of the first, Bobcat left fielder Jose Gonzalez answered back with a three-run homer to right field. The Bobcats would follow up by taking advantage of a Red Wolve error scoring an extra run and taking a 4-3 lead.
The Red Wolves would answer with another two-run shot by First Basemen Brandon Hager in the top of the third.
Bobcats center fielder Ben McClain became a standout in game one as he scored the tying run in the bottom of the ninth, sliding into home off a wild pitch to send the game to extra innings.
“Coach Trout told me that if there was any pass ball, I need you to get in there,” McClain said. “As soon as I saw it tip off his glove, I was there.”
In extra innings, McClain hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th to win game one 8-7. McClain said that in the moment, “relaxing” was the key.
“It was a fastball right down the middle,” said McClain. “I just stayed relaxed and didn’t get too big.
McClain went 3-for-4 at the plate, with two RBI and two runs scored, to secure the Bobcat’s win and Coach Trout’s 100th with the program as he became the fastest in program history to reach triple-digit victories.
Saturday’s matchup saw a bounceback from the Red Wolves. Pitcher Kyler Carmack held the Bobcats scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, reducing the number of runs they gave up in game one by five.
The Bobcats clawed back, with Daylan Pena scoring off a sac fly by Kameorn Weil in the bottom of the seventh.
Bobcats third baseman Ryder Hernandez hit a three-run shot to bring the Bobcats within one, but the Red Wolves would hold off the Bobcats, giving them the 5-4 win and their first Sun Belt Conference win of the year.
The Bobcats bats only had four hits Saturday compared to their nine in game one. Coach Trout said that the team must make “adjustments” when hitting the ball consistently.
“Offensively, we just gotta get back to the top of the baseball,” said Trout. “A lot of flyouts. We gotta make adjustments with them.”
The Bobcats came into Sunday’s matchup with the series tied one apiece and the series on the line.
The Bobcat’s pitching staff came in handy, with Tony Robie getting the start on the mound striking out four batters on the day.
Bobcat pitcher Nathan Medrano said the pitching staff did their “job” this weekend on the mound.
“Robie did a great job starting it out. It was my first time bouncing back in two days,” said Medrano. “Rhett McCaffety did his job; we just got ahead and stayed ahead.”
The Bobcats did not trail once to the Red Wolves in game three, getting hits when it mattered. Designated hitter Cade Manning hit a three-run bomb in the bottom of the third to give the Bobcats the five-run lead.
“I felt good today at the plate,” said Manning. “Looking for a fastball inside, he gave it to me, and it worked well.
Bobcats Freshman Chase Mora hit a team-high 10th home run of the season for a late insurance run which matched the program record by a freshman set by Tyler Sibley in 2009.
“Moras’ a stud,” said Manning. “It’s incredibly tough to do, especially as a freshman. He deserves all the success that he is getting.”
The Bobcats would need that late run as Red Wolves first baseman Brandon Hager hit his second home run on the day in the top of the ninth, bringing the score within one.
The Bobcats were able to hold off the Red Wolves, giving them the win 7-6 and the series win 2-1.
“I’m excited we went 3-1 this week, and we didn’t play very well all week long,” said Trout. “Any time you can win three games and not be playing your best, it’s a sign of good things to come.”
The Bobcats hope to see good things as they hit the road for the next four games. Their first matchup is in College Station as they take on the Texas A&m Aggies Tuesday at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park at 6:00 p.m.
Featured Image from Beau Kelly
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