Rice Earns Come-From-Behind Win Over TXST

Texas State will return home for a three-game series against McNeese State Feb. 23-25 inside Bobcat Ballpark.

HOUSTON – The Texas State baseball team lost 8-6 to Rice in a midweek non-conference clash Tuesday night inside Reckling Park.

The Bobcats dropped to 1-3 on the year, while the Owls improved to 3-1.

Texas State initially found a 5-0 lead after an RBI from junior Jonathan Ortega in the top of the sixth, but the home side plated one in the sixth, two in the bottom of the seventh and five in the eighth to earn the come-from-behind victory.

Ortega finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored. Senior Luke Sherley and junior Jacob Almendarez both went 2-for-4 and combined to score three runs.

The Bobcats were unable to take advantage of a near-flawless effort from sophomore Zachary Leigh in his first collegiate start on the mound. He gave up just one run on two hits, while striking out three and walking four. He left with a 5-1 advantage and was in line for the win.

Senior Cam Baird, juniors Seth Jordan, Anthony Pagano, Wes Engle and Braden Pearson, redshirt freshman Noah Walker, and true freshman Matthew Nicholas all saw time on the mound. The seven relief pitchers combined to allow seven runs on six hits across the final 3.0 innings.

The Bobcats outhit Rice 10-8 and have posted more hits than their opponents in all four games this season.

Ryan Chandler led the Owls with a 3-for-5 effort. Trei Cruz was just 1-for-3, but he had four RBIs, which included the game-winning 3-RBI triple in the eighth. Justin Collins and Bradley Gneiting both scored twice.

Dane Acker started on the mound for Rice and left after conceding three runs on four hits in 2.2 innings. Nick Silber and Evan Kravetz threw the next 4.1 frames and gave up two runs on four hits. Willy Amador (1-0) earned the win after tossing an inning of relief. He allowed one unearned run on one hit. Garrett Gayle picked up the save after tossing a clean ninth.

Texas State will return home for a three-game series against McNeese State Feb. 23-25 inside Bobcat Ballpark.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E

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Texas State……… 003 101 010 –  6 10  1

Rice……………. 000 001 25X –  8  8  4

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Win – Amador, W. (1-0). Loss – Engle, W. (0-1). Save – Gayle, G. (1).