Arkansas State Claims Rubber Game Sunday

The trio of outings will serve as the final home games of season for the maroon and gold.

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Texas State baseball team suffered a 2-1 setback in a Sunday Sunbelt Conference matinee against Arkansas State at Tomlinson Stadium.

The Bobcats (23-24-1, 11-13 SBC) fell to 0-5 in rubber games in 2018, while the Red Wolves (17-26, 8-16 SBC) posted their first SBC series-ending victory and their third conference series triumph of the season.

The lone runs of the day from the home team came on a two-run home run from Kyle MacDonald in the fourth inning. The maroon and gold was only able to counter with one in the top of the eighth on an RBI triple from junior Jaylen Hubbard.

MacDonald finished with two of A-State’s five hits, and he had both of the team’s RBIs.

Junior Jonathan Ortega finished 2-for-3 for the Bobcats and scored the lone run of the game. Junior Wes Engle (1-3) suffered the loss on the mound after allowing two runs on three hits in 5.0 innings.

He struck out four and walked two. Sophomore Zachary Leigh and juniors Anthony Pagano and Kyle Bradford combined for 3.0 scoreless frames. They only gave up two hits.

A-State starter Carter Holt did not factor into the decision after pitching 4.1 scoreless frames.

He allowed three hits, struck out two and walked two.

Tanner Kirby (1-0) collected the win after a clean 2.2 frames, and Bo Ritter tallied his fourth save after conceding one run on two hits in the final 2.0 innings.

Texas State will take the midweek off before welcoming Louisiana for a three-game SBC series May 11-13 at Bobcat Ballpark.

The trio of outings will serve as the final home games of season for the maroon and gold. The home finale will double as Senior Day.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E

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Texas State……… 000 000 010 –  1  5  1

Arkansas State…… 000 200 00X –  2  5  0

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Win – Kirby, T. (1-0). Loss – Engle, W. (1-3). Save – Ritter, B. (4).