Texas State Wins Pre-Pac 12 Matchup

By Ian Graffunder

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas- Texas State baseball beat the Washington State Cougars in the series opener Thursday evening 13-11.

The Bobcats came into this game on a five game winning streak, and they were hungry to extend their streak. Sam Hall started out the game and pitched three innings of relatively clean baseball. Allowing only one run on three hits, and adding three strikeouts to his season total.

Both offenses came to play, with 24 combined runs between the two teams. A strong and steady wind blowing directly out to left field definitely played a factor, as there were six home runs between both teams.

The Bobcats took an early lead 9-1 after three innings, with five runs in the second and four more runs in the third. Manny Salas started the scoring bonanza with a solo shot in the second. Brady Boles and Clayton Namken both hit RBI singles as well. A wild pitch and passed ball in the inning brought in the final two runs of the second.

In the third inning Tanner Carson hit an RBI single, and Rashawn Galloway also picked up a two RBI double. Washington State then had a passed ball, followed by a wild pitch and allowed two unearned runs.

Washington State wouldn’t let them off so easily though. As they responded with six runs over the fourth and fifth innings. Ryan Skjonsby hit a two-run home run in the fourth. Three different Cougars hit home runs in the fifth inning as well.

The teams went back and forth until the game was 13-11 in the ninth inning. The Bobcats put their trust in Pitcher Wade Cooper. The Freshman struck out the side in the top of the ninth and secured his third save of the year, and the Bobcats’ 10th win of the year.

After the critical inning, Cooper was talking about the high standards he holds himself to. “I hold myself to a high standard, I don’t expect anything different. I go out there and I try to punch out the side every time as a closer. More work to do, I feel good about my outing today”