Bobcat Trio Land On SBC Preseason Squad

Former TXST baseball player and current MLB All-Star Paul Goldschmidt will serve as the guest speaker for the dinner.

NEW ORLEANS – Three Texas State baseball players were named to the 2018 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team, the league announced Wednesday morning.

Senior utility player Dylan Paul, junior second baseman Jonathan Ortega and junior third baseman Jaylen Hubbard all picked up preseason laurels after landing on the All-Sun Belt Second Team a year ago.

The three preseason selections are the most by Texas State since joining the league in 2014. South Alabama led the way with four selections. UTA joined TXST with three players named to the squad, while Troy was the only other club with multiple honorees.

Paul has increased his production all three years donning the maroon and gold. He has registered a collegiate batting average of .287 in 107 games. He has also posted 84 hits, 15 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 55 RBIs, 44 runs scored, and four stolen bases.

Ortega has made 114 starts over the course of his first two years with the Bobcats. He owns a career batting average of .312, and he has also tallied 153 hits, 29 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs, 80 RBIs, 87 runs scored and 29 stolen bases.

Hubbard is one shy of reaching 100 career games played for TXST. He has a .304 batting average and owns 109 hits, 19 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 52 RBIs, 58 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases.

The Bobcats are set to begin their season with a three-game homestand against Oklahoma State Feb. 16-18 at Bobcat Ballpark.

Tickets are on sale now for both TXST season ticket renewals and new purchases. The deadline for season ticket renewals is Feb. 2. Single game tickets will be made available for purchase Feb. 6. Patrons can purchase their tickets at the TXST Athletic Ticket Office located at Bobcat Stadium, by calling the office at 512-245-2272, or by logging into their account on TXStateBobcats.com/tickets.

The Bobcats are also set to host the 10th Annual Leadoff Dinner, which will be the showcase event of Alumni Weekend. The Leadoff Dinner will be held Feb. 9 at The Chandelier of Gruene in New Braunfels, Texas. The cocktail social mixer is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with the dinner portion of the event to follow.

Former TXST baseball player and current MLB All-Star Paul Goldschmidt will serve as the guest speaker for the dinner. The Leadoff Dinner is an annual event that brings baseball alumni, Bobcat supporters, family, friends and the current team together to raise money for Texas State baseball and gain excitement for the upcoming season. For more information, contact Robbie Goldschmidt at 512-245-3383 or r_g516@txstate.edu.

2018 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Baseball Team

Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, Starting Pitcher)

Trae Patterson (UTA, Senior, Starting Pitcher)

Seth Shuman (Georgia Southern, Sophomore, Starting Pitcher)

Dylan Moore (Louisiana, Senior, Relief Pitcher)*

Will Olson (UTA, Junior, Catcher)

Wells Davis (South Alabama, Junior, First Base)

Jonathan Ortega (Texas State, Junior, Second Base)*

Drew LaBounty (South Alabama, Senior, Shortstop)*

Jaylen Hubbard (Texas State, Junior, Third Base)

Brendan Donovan (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)

Brandon Lockridge (Troy, Junior, Outfielder)

Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)*

Omar Salinas (UTA, Senior, Designated Hitter)

Dylan Paul (Texas State, Senior, Utility)

* – 2017 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

2018 Preseason Player of the Year

Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, OF)

2018 Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, RHP)