Despite a quality start from freshman pitcher Nolan Moore, the Texas State Bobcats (4-2) couldn’t produce enough runs or hits, falling 5-1 in a cold, windy battle against the Gonzaga Bulldogs (2-4) Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Ballpark.
The future Pac-12 foes went toe-to-toe in a pitching duel between Moore and Bulldogs junior starter Erik Hoffberg, who earned his first win of the season with a seven-inning performance, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out seven Bobcats.
Moore tossed six shutout innings, surrendering three hits and striking out four in just his second collegiate appearance.
“It was phenomenal… That’s big-time stuff for any age,” Texas State head coach Steven Trout said. “Definitely a start wasted there, but that’s a huge mark for [Nolan Moore].”
The Bobcats’ lone run of the game came at the tail end of the second inning as Texas State capitalized on sophomore shortstop Dawson Park’s walk. Park proceeded to steal second base and reach third on a throwing error. Junior center fielder Samson Pugh drove him home with a successful bunt, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.
From there, it was a battle of attrition between the two starting pitchers as Gonzaga tried to even the score against Moore but came up empty. Meanwhile, Texas State failed to record a hit after Jacquae Stewart’s single in the third inning and managed only a handful of baserunners via walks.
The wind was a considerable factor in the poor offensive output for both squads, as many batters made solid contact, but the wind kept the ball well within the confines of the park.
“We’ve been pretty good so far in six games offensively,” Trout said. “This is the first time we’ve played in weather this brutal right in front of us.”
It wasn’t until the top of the seventh that the Bulldogs finally broke through, after Moore was pulled and replaced by fellow freshman Titan Targac. After Targac loaded the bases with one out, he was lifted, and junior Will Canalichio came in to try to limit the damage.
Gonzaga tied the game on a fielder’s choice, and after another walk reloaded the bases, Trout went back to the bullpen for the third time in the inning, calling on senior Shane Connell.
Senior right fielder Noah Meffert drove a pitch into center field that Pugh couldn’t secure, as it dropped for a bases-clearing double, putting the Bulldogs ahead for good.
From there, the Bobcats went down quietly as the sun set and Gonzaga tacked on another run. In the end, the Bulldogs prevailed and got their payback after Friday night’s Texas State comeback.
Texas State will look to flush the loss and get back on track Sunday afternoon in the series rubber match against the Bulldogs, with junior Jesus Tovar slated to start on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Bobcat Ballpark and will be available via Stat Broadcast.
