AUSTIN, Texas — A barnburner broke out deep in the heart of Texas as the No. 2 Texas Longhorns got their long-awaited home victory against the Texas State Bobcats with a narrow 10-8 victory, Tuesday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
The Longhorns (24-4, 7-2 SEC) completed their first season sweep of the Bobcats (19-9, 6-3 SBC) since the 2021 season, ending the four-season streak and ending the seven-game winning streak Texas State had entering Tuesday’s rematch.
Compared to the two programs’ previous entanglement on March 10 that saw Texas leave San Marcos with a demolishing 15-4 victory, the Bobcats put up a much better fight in Austin, as they doubled their run total and hits in front of 7,765 fans.
“If [the opposing team is] number one, number two, it doesn’t matter, you got to go play the game at a high level,” Texas State head coach Steven Trout said. “You always learn about your team in these [away] environments…they’re not scared of anybody.”
Texas State got off to a hot start, as senior right fielder Rashawn Galloway initiated the scoring with a one-out solo home run into left-center to give the Bobcats the early lead. Sophomore shortstop Dawson Park reached with a double after a dropped catch from Longhorn junior centerfielder Aiden Robbins.
Junior leftfielder Jaquae Stewart, a former Longhorn, tacked on another run as the infield defense misplayed a two-out popup, resulting in Park scoring from second. The next batter, junior first baseman Ethan Farris, delivered an RBI single into right to drive home another run as the Bobcats pounced early with a 3-0 lead.
Robbins, who essentially provided the Bobcats an extra two runs, took them back as he belted a 424-foot two-run bomb into left field to cut into the Bobcat lead.
After a quick two outs, Longhorn junior second basemen Ethan Mendoza lined a double into left, where he proceeded to steal third base and inevitably scored off a wild pitch to even the score at 3-3.
As senior pitcher Dylan Kerbow came in at the start of the third and held Texas scoreless for three innings, Farris gave the ‘Cats the lead back with a leadoff, first-pitch shot into deep left field to put Texas State back up 4-3.
In the top of the fifth, junior designated hitter Manny Salas extended the Bobcat lead to 5-3 after a 355-foot home run in centerfield.
The Longhorns, however, flipped the script as the sixth began. Once senior reliever Braylen Timmins came into the game, Texas began an offensive onslaught that began when junior third basemen Casey Borba punched his ninth home run of March and third against the Bobcats this year to cut the deficit to 5-4.
After two walks, the Bobcats dug further into the bullpen as sophomore Cade Smith entered with one out. The Longhorns rolled over to the top of their order with two outs and broke through with four consecutive hits, while also taking advantage of a throwing error from freshman centerfielder Jackson Cotton.
All totaled, Texas put together a six-run inning, taking their first lead of the game at 9-5.
Texas State responded in kind with three consecutive doubles from Cotton, Galloway, Salas and a fielder’s choice by Park cut the deficit 9-8. In the following inning, Texas extended its lead to 10-8 with a leadoff home run to center field by Mendoza.
As the ninth rolled in with a two-run deficit, the Bobcats had the top of the order coming up and faced freshman Sam Cozart, who previously started against Texas State in their earlier matchup.
Cozart slammed the door shut in just eight pitches, earning his second save of the season and handing the Longhorns their fourth consecutive win while sending the Bobcats back down I-35 with a loss.
Despite the results, Texas State’s offensive momentum from the past few weekends continued into Tuesday night as they sent three home runs out among a plethora of hits, a necessity as they prepare to host an upcoming nine-game homestand.
“They’re confident right now and seeing the ball well,” Trout said. “They know it’s not just one guy that has to get it done; they know guys around them are going to be able to protect them.”
The Bobcats will return to San Marcos to start the new month, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Bobcat Ballpark against the Georgia Southern Eagles. The series will be available to stream on ESPN+
