Texas State Hosts Final Home Series of 2016
by, Joshua Flanagan
SAN MARCOS – The Bobcats are set to host the team’s final home series of the season, welcoming Georgia State to San Marcos for a three-game set at 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. On Saturday, Texas State will recognize the team’s eight seniors before the game.
Game Info: Texas State vs. Georgia State
Site: Bobcat Ballpark – San Marcos, Texas
Date: Friday, May 6 – Sunday, May 8
Time: Friday – 6 p.m. | Saturday – 3 p.m. | Sunday – 11 a.m.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday: RHP #21 Lucas Humpal (5-4, 3.04 ERA) vs. LHP #26 Wayne Wages (4-4, 5.19 ERA)
Saturday: LHP #34 Jonathan Hennigan (3-2, 3.54 ERA) vs. RHP #38 Marc-Andre Habeck (1-3, 4.18 ERA)
Sunday: TBA vs. RHP #28 Bryan White (1-3, 5.26 ERA)
The Series
Texas State and Georgia State have met for two series in their histories the past two seasons, and the Bobcats have been on the better end both times. Sweeping Georgia State in San Marcos in 2014, the Bobcats went on to take two of three games on the road last season. Texas State has a 5-1 record against the Panthers and the team’s last home win was a 4-1 victory on April 20, 2014.
Last Meeting
Last time these teams met, the Bobcats got the better of Georgia State, 8-5, in the Sunday game in Atlanta. Tanner Hill and Colby Targun led the way last game, both hitting two hits with Targun tallying two runs and two RBIs. Luke Sherley also knocked in two RBIs. On the mound, Blake Whitter finished the final four innings for Texas State to take the series.
On the Panthers
While Georgia State stands at 22-23 overall and 8-13 in the Sun Belt Conference, the Panthers have won three of their last four games and five of the last seven. As usual, the Panthers are hitting at a strong rate with a .293 batting average led by Jarrett Hood at .362. Eight Panthers are hitting .307 or better with six hitting .333 or better.
Texas State has 38 home runs, but Georgia State is not far behind with 33 and an impressive 83 doubles. The Panthers have stolen 34 bases this year.
But, on the mound and on defense, Georgia State is struggling. While the Panthers have hit 83 doubles, they have given up 84. They are giving up a .280 batting average to opponents, and currently hold a 5.31 ERA. In 400 innings, Georgia State has given up 428 hits, 271 runs and 202 walks with 339 strikeouts.
On the Bobcats
After winning the series finale against Troy, the Bobcats carried the momentum to the midweek at UTSA. Winning a 6-0 shutout over the Roadrunners, Texas State played arguably the team’s most complete game of the season.
The Bobcats did not commit an error in the game and only allowed one ball to the outfield. Texas State turned three double plays in the game and only faced two batters more than the minimum in a nine-inning game.
In addition to the team’s defense, the Bobcats knocked out two home runs. Tanner Hill, the SBC leader, hit his 14th homer of the year while Luke Sherley knocked his second to put the Bobcats up early. This season, the team’s offense has been strong with a .283 batting average and 38 home runs. Eight Bobcats are hitting .302 or better.
With the offense, the pitching has done well, led by Cory Geisler and his 2.86 ERA. None of the regular starters have an ERA above a 3.54. The foursome of Geisler, Lucas Humpal, Jeremy Hallonquist and Jonathan Hennigan have combined for 200 strikeouts to just 76 walks.
A Look Ahead
After Georgia State, the Bobcats will take to the road to finish out the regular season before returning home for the Sun Belt Conference Championship Tournament on May 25-29 at Bobcat Ballpark. Texas State will play at Arkansas State next week, at Texas for the midweek on May 17, and finish up at UT Arlington on May 19-21.
