Maroon & Gold Weekly Wrap-Up: Baseball, Track And Field & Women’s Basketball

Maroon & Gold Weekly Wrap-Up:

Baseball, Track and Field & Women’s Basketball

Sun Belt Regular Season Champions!

SAN MARCOS, Texas – A doubleheader sweep on Friday clinched the outright Sun Belt Conference regular season championship for the Texas State baseball team (36-18, 20-10 Sun Belt). The Bobcats defeated rival UT Arlington (31-24, 17-12 Sun Belt) 10-9 in game one and 13-11 in the second contest at Bobcat Ballpark to wrap up the regular season.

The regular season title is the first for TXST since joining the Sun Belt. It is also the first conference title in program history since 2011.

Game 1: Texas State 10, UT Arlington 9

In the first game of the day, the Mavericks jumped out to an early lead after plating five runs in the second. They got a solo home run from Andrew Miller and Connor Aube added a three-run shot later in the frame.

Travon Benton drew a walk with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. A 1-2 pitch was laced to left center for a double by Ryan Newman. The Bobcats were going to have two runners in scoring position but the left fielder mishandled the ball that allowed Benton to score and cut the deficit to 5-1.

In the fourth, Texas State started off the inning with three straight singles with Benton’s plating the first run of the frame. Newman brought home another run after hitting a deep sacrifice fly to center field. Felipe Rodriguez reached base as the second baseman misplayed a grounder. The error would bite UTA as Jaylen Hubbard ripped a 1-2 offering down the left field line for a three-run homer to put the Bobcats in front 6-5.

The next inning saw TXST tack on another run on a Dalton Shuffield single to left field when the outfielder misjudged the home and the ball scooted past him.

UTA got back on the scoreboard in the seventh. The visitors scored four runs with two coming on a Zac Cook single and the other two on a Miller double to take a 9-7 lead.

With an out in the eighth, John Wuthrich doubled to left center on the first pitch he saw. After Skyler Valentine battled and drew a walk, Shuffield laced a triple down the right field line to tie the game. Benton followed by doubling to left center to bring home the go-ahead run.

The Mavs threatened in the ninth as Cook stole second while Anthony Dominguez struck out. Zachary Leigh induced a pop up to Jaxon Williams and then got Will Olson swinging to clinch the regular season championship.

Brayden Theriot (1-1) picked up the win after working 1.2 scoreless innings in relief with one strikeout. Leigh earned his fifth save of the year as he struck out two in his inning of work. Andrew Gross (2-3) suffered the loss as he allowed three runs on four hits in 1.1 innings.

Hunter McMahon started on the rubber for TXST. He worked six innings with three strikeouts but gave up seven hits, five walks and three free passes.

Will Hollis and Shuffield both recorded three hits on the day to lead the Bobcats at the plate. Both Benton and Shuffield drove in and scored two runs apiece while Valentine came around to score three times.

Recording two hits each in the afternoon were Benton, Hubbard, Valentine and Wuthrich.

Game 2: Texas State 13, UT Arlington 11

Unlike the first two games of the series, Texas State got on the scoreboard first in the third when Hubbard smashed a two-run home to left center. It also began a back and forth game.

UTA quickly responded as Josh Minjarez led off the next half inning with a solo homer on the first pitch of the frame.

The Mavericks took the lead in the fifth when Minjarez hit a three-run shot to go up 4-2.

In the bottom of the inning, Cole Coffey reached base as the shortstop booted the ball to lead off. Colton Moore was then hit by a pitch to put the tying run on base. With two outs, Hollis hit a deep shot to center field. The outfielder appeared to make the catch to end the frame but smashed into the wall and dropped the ball as both runners were able to score to tie the contest.

The visitors responded in the top of the sixth as Miller hit a three-run home run to left field to give them a three-run lead.

Valentine led off the bottom of the inning with a single back up the middle and Shuffield followed by getting issued a free pass. A 1-0 pitch was blasted over the scoreboard and nearly landed on the train track by Benton to tie the game at 7-7.

UTA scored for the fourth straight inning in the top of the seventh with three more runs to retake a three-run advantage.

The bottom of the eight began with Coffey battling to draw a walk after an eight-pitch plate appearance. After a fly out, Hubbard was walked to put two runners on base. Following the second fly out of the frame, Hollis walked on four pitches to load the bases. On the first pitch he saw, Wuthrich smashed his second grand slam of the season over the left center field wall to give the Bobcats the lead.

Following a pitching change, both Valentine and Shuffield were issued free passes. Benton would then rip a two-RBI double to right center to increase TXST’s lead to 13-10.

The two-run double by Benton came into play as the Mavs were able to score a run on a Cook single through the right side to make it a two-run contest. Leigh induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to clinch the outright regular season crown.

Brent Hebert (5-1) was the victorious pitcher after going two innings while striking out one and giving up a run on three hits. Leigh earned his second save of the day and sixth of the season after working the ninth. His save total is tied for the ninth most in a season by a Bobcat hurler. Taking the loss was Riley Bost (1-4) after he surrendered four runs on four hits and four walks.

Connor Reich started but went just five innings. The senior right-hander struck out five while giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks. Garrett Herrmann made his first career relief appearance after 10 midweek starts.

Posted two hits apiece on the night for TXST was Benton, Shuffield, Valentine and Wuthrich. Benton drove in five runs and Wuthrich finished with four RBIs.

Coming around to score twice was Coffey, Hubbard, Moore, Shuffield and Valentine.

Next up for the Bobcats is the Sun Belt Championship Tournament that will take place next week in Conway, South Carolina on the campus of Coastal Carolina. TXST will play on Wednesday against the winner of the No. 8/9 seed single-elimination contest. First pitch time will be announced later this weekend after the rest of the league wraps up the regular season.

Box Score Game 1: https://txstatebobcats.com/boxscore.aspx?id=5780

Box Score Game 2: https://txstatebobcats.com/boxscore.aspx?id=5781

League office honored three Bobcats in Sun Belt specialty awards

NEW ORLEANS – The Texas State track and field team earned three specialty awards due to performances at the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Seniors Tramesha Hardy and T’Mond Johnson were named the most outstanding track and field performers, respectively, while head coach Jody Stewart was awarded the league’s Coach of the Year award for the eighth time in a four-year span, and the second specifically for the men’s track program.

The Bobcat men won their first Sun Belt championship since joining the league and the first title since 2004 (Southland Conference), while the women finished as runner-up.

With the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship, coach Stewart has now collected eight league titles (including women’s cross country in 2017), matching former Bobcat head coach Galina Bukharina for a program record. Coach Stewart led the Bobcat men to its second Sun Belt championship (2016 indoor) and is currently the only men’s program at Texas State to capture a league championship.

Hardy was the top scorer in the championship meet behind 21.5 points. She won her third consecutive title in the women’s 200-meter dash with a time of 23.14, placed second in the 100-meter dash after clocking an 11.35, and contributed to second and third-place finishes in the 4×400 and 4×100-meter relays, respectively. The Houston native has had a spectacular career that consists of winning the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Most Outstanding Freshman of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor season, a six-time recipient of the most outstanding track performer award from 2017-19 (three-time indoor, three-time outdoor), and a four-time top meet scorer for the league (indoor 2017-2019, outdoor 2019).

Johnson received his first specialty award from the league office after recording a 19.70m mark (64-7.75) in the men’s shot put to secure his third consecutive gold medal in the event. He also finished third in the discus throw (52.17m; 171-2) and scored in the hammer throw with a 53.40m (175-2) hurl. The Killeen, Texas native is a six-time Sun Belt champion in the shot put with three titles in the indoor and outdoor season from 2017-2019.

Overall, at the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Texas State crowned eight individual champions, established a new school record, and had 21 all-conference selections.

The Bobcats will be sending a group to the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary, including Hardy and Johnson, on May 23-25 in Sacramento, Calif. for an opportunity to advance to the 2019 NCAA Outdoor National Championships June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.

#EatEmUp

Late Homer Too Much For Bobcats to Overcome

SAN MARCOS, Texas – A ninth inning two-run home run by UT Arlington (31-22, 17-10 Sun Belt) was too much for the Texas State baseball team (34-18, 18-10 Sun Belt) to overcome Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark in a 5-3 setback.

The loss kept the Bobcats from being able to clinch the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and pulled the Mavericks within a half a game in the standings. TXST still needs one win in the final two games of the series to claim the conference crown and No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Picking up the win on the mound was UTA’s closer Andrew Gross (2-2) after he recorded the final four outs while striking out three. Dontae Woodard (2-1) took the loss as he also worked 1.1 innings but surrendered the go ahead homer.

Nicholas Fraze recorded his eighth quality start of the season. The junior right-hander went seven innings and struck out four while giving up three runs on six hits and walking only one. Brent Hebert also saw action out of the bullpen, getting two outs before being relieved by Woodard.

At the plate, Skyler Valentine went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run. Also posting a multi-hit game for Texas State was Felipe Rodriguez and John Wuthrich with two hits apiece.

The Mavs got on the board first with two runs their first time at the plate. The first was on a delayed double steal of home while the second of the frame was on the third consecutive single to begin the game.

Valentine doubled with an out in the second and was followed by Travon Benton drawing a walk. On the second pitch of his at-bat, Wesley Faison laced a single to left single to put the Bobcats on the board and cut the deficit in half.

TXST tied the game up in the third when Valentine singled to left center that brought home Jaxon Williams.

A 3-1 offering in the next half inning was hit off the batter’s eye in center field to put the visitor’s back in front 3-2.

Neither team would get on the scoreboard again until the eighth. Valentine led off by smacking a 1-1 pitch over the left center field wall for his sixth home run of the season. It was also his first bomb since Mar. 29 at Appalachian State when he hit two that day.

A single by Rodriguez followed by back-to-back free passes to Dalton Shuffield and Williams loaded the bases with two outs in the frame. Gross fell behind 3-0 but was able to battle back and record a strikeout to keep the game tied.

With a runner on first and one out, Zac Cook was able to turn on a fastball and it cleared the wall down the right field line for the go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth.

The Bobcats did put two on in the bottom of the frame but were unable to come through with a key hit.

Friday sees the TXST conclude the series with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. The team will honor its seniors with a ceremony prior to the first pitch of the first game.

Box Score: https://txstatebobcats.com/boxscore.aspx?id=5779

Baseball Concludes Regular Season at Home against UT Arlington

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State baseball team wraps up the regular season this weekend with a three-game set at Bobcat Ballpark against rival UT Arlington with the Sun Belt Conference regular season title on the line. Both games on Thursday and Friday will start at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s contests will see first pitch at 1 p.m.

Entering the series, the Bobcats are 34-17 overall and lead the Sun Belt by a game and a half with an 18-9 mark. The Mavericks are 30-22 on the season and 16-10 in conference play to sit second in the West Division.

A video stream and live stats will be available the entire series. Bill Culhane will have the radio call for the contests on KTSW 89.9 FM.

Probable Starting Pitchers

Thursday: TXST RHP Nicholas Fraze (6-3, 4.42 ERA) vs. UTA LHP Drew Gooch (3-3, 3.83 ERA)

Friday: TXST RHP Hunter McMahon (5-5, 4.56 ERA) vs. UTA RHP David Moffat (4-4, 3.67 ERA)

Saturday: TXST RHP Connor Reich (8-1, 3.76 ERA) vs. UTA TBA

Conference Title Scenarios

Heading into the final series of the regular season, Texas State controls its own destiny when it comes to the Sun Belt regular season championship. The Bobcats need to win one game to clinch at least a share of the regular season crown, win the West Division and claim the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament. To win the championship outright, TXST would have to win two games, win once and see Georgia Southern lose a game or win once and have a game between the Georgia schools or here in San Marcos be canceled.

Scouting Texas State

Texas State is coming off a series loss at Little Rock. The Bobcats dropped the first two games before salvaging the series with a 13-9 win on Sunday. A sweep this weekend will give TXST its first 20-win season at home since 2017.

Pacing the Bobcats with a .335 batting average is Dalton Shuffield. The sophomore infielder has recorded a team-high 67 hits with 12 doubles, has scored 33 runs and driven in 24. He is also a perfect 10-for-10 stealing bases.

Both Jaylen Hubbard and Jaxon Williams missed the final two games at Little Rock because of injuries but are expected back to face the Mavericks. Williams is hitting .332 with 53 runs scored, five home runs and 29 RBIs. Hubbard enters batting .325 with a team-high 55 runs scored. The senior third baseman has also recorded 16 doubles, six homers, four triples and 25 RBIs.

Will Hollis has also hit six home runs while pacing the squad with 45 RBIs and 41 walks. John Wuthrich has blasted a team best seven homers. He has scored 39 runs and plated 35 as well.

The starting rotation continues to remain the same with Nicholas Fraze scheduled to start Friday’s opener. Hunter McMahon will take the hill on Saturday and Connor Reich is slated to take the rubber for the series finale.

Scouting UT Arlington

UT Arlington is coming off a 12-2 seven-inning loss on Tuesday at 12th-ranked Baylor. Last weekend saw the Mavericks split a two-game set at home against Coastal Carolina. UTA is 16-12 on the road this season with a 7-5 mark against conference foes.

Connor Aube leads the Mavs with a .337 batting average, 59 hits, 41 runs scored, 17 doubles and 13 stolen bases. His three triples are tied for a team-high with Andrew Miller.

Anthony Dominguez is hitting .305 and paces the squad with 43 RBIs and 30 free passes. The junior outfielder has hit six home runs, scored 28 times and recorded 58 hits.

Both Josh Minjarez and Will Olson have recorded 55 hits and scored 33 runs. Minjarez has hit a team-high seven homers with 32 RBIs, 11 doubles and is 5-for-5 stealing bases. Olson enters with a .291 batting average, five home runs, 12 doubles and 24 RBIs.

Scheduled to take the hill on Thursday is Drew Gooch. The senior left-hander is 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. David Moffat will start on Friday and comes in with a 4-4 record, 3.67 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 76 innings of work. Saturday’s series finale starter is still to be announced.

All-Time Series

The all-time series sees Texas State lead 67-43. The Bobcats have won the last four meetings and 10 of the last 12 contests dating back to May 15, 2015.

Last time that TXST lost a series at home to the UT Arlington was in 1994 when it swept a three-game series. When playing at home, the Bobcats sport a 31-14 record with nine of the losses coming from 1989-94.

Live Stats (Thu): http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=249882

Video (Thu): https://lrtrojans.com/watch/?Live=326&type=Live

Live Stats (Fri): http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=253929

Video (Fir): https://lrtrojans.com/watch/?Live=327&type=Live

Live Stats (Sat): http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=253930

Video (Sat): https://lrtrojans.com/watch/?Live=328&type=Live

TXST Game Notes: https://txstatebobcats.com/documents/2019/5/9/50_52_Little_Rock.pdf

TXST adds transfer Lauryn Thompson

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State head coach Zenarae Antoine announced the addition of Virginia Commonwealth University transfer Lauryn Thompson. She has committed to the Bobcats to continue both her educational and basketball careers and will redshirt before playing out the remainder of her three seasons of eligibility.

Lauryn Thompson
Mansfield, Texas | Mansfield Timberview High School
Forward | 6’1

“We are excited to welcome Lauryn home,” Coach Antoine said. “She is a great fit for us. She has proven herself both in the classroom and on the basketball court. It is a great day to be a Bobcat!

“She played for a national high school coach of the year in Kit Martin. If you combine that with her solid family upbringing, it is easy to understand that she has the mentality needed to excel as a student athlete. In the near future, Lauryn will add much needed depth at the forward position and she has the potential to remind our fans of former Bobcat great Ashley Ezeh.”

Thompson spent the 2018-19 campaign as a Ram under head coach Beth O’Boyle. She appeared in 16 games off the VCU bench and averaged 7.7 minutes per game. She tallied 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest on 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. She pulled down an average of 0.9 offensive rebounds per contest as a freshman.

She joined Virginia Commonwealth out of Mansfield Timberview High School under the guidance of Kit Martin. During her senior season, the Wolves went 40-3 and claimed the 5A state championship. She recorded 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds on her way to 14-5A District most valuable player accolades. She collected MVP honors in the Texas-Oklahoma all-star game.

During her final two high school seasons, Thompson led her team to a 5A Texas State runner-up finish, was named TABC All-Region, and garnered a TGCA All-Star team selection. She was twice named first team 14-5A All-District and the Wolves won two district championships. Thompson joined the 1,000-point club during her final high school season.

Thompson is active in the community on top of her athletic successes. Every holiday her and her family provides meals for the less fortunate. On Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day the family delivers bagged meals to those in need. She also worked basketball clinics at the local YMCA while at VCU and spoke to a nearby middle school about her experiences as a student athlete.

She is the daughter of Matt Thompson and Barbara Washington. She has two sisters, Olivia and Sydney. Her father played basketball collegiately at Norfolk State.