Texas State made Sunday a true “fun day” as the Bobcats (3-0) soundly defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles (0-3) 11-0 and finished their opening weekend with a sweep Sunday afternoon at Bobcat Ballpark.
The same formula used in all three games was the order of the day: strong, efficient starting pitching, enough offense to back that pitching up until the bats warmed up and outlast their opponent until the end.
There was plenty to feel good about on this day for Trout and company. Southpaw junior ace Jesus Tovar, the most seasoned on cats’ staff, went five innings, surrendering three singles and striking out six while only facing three batters over the minimum in a stellar performance.
Using a deft combination of a fastball, cutter, and sinker, Tovar had Niagara frozen for the first half of the game.
“Jesus Tovar was really good, he’s going to compete for us every game. We also stayed locked in mentally and scoring runs,” head coach Steven Trout said. “Anytime you leave a ballpark going 3-0 on opening weekend, you’re going to feel good.”
A slight departure from the weekend script was the offense, which got going early in the first inning and never really let up. It started with transfer junior leftfielder Jaquay Stewart hitting a laser which tight roped the foul line in right, allowing Stewart to leg out a double.
A wild pitch allowed Stewart third base, and on a full count, senior third baseman Chase Mora split the infield in half on an RBI single. A Niagara error advanced the runners to second and third. Sophomore shortstop Dawson Park tripled to deep center, clearing the bases and suddenly the Bobcats were up 3-0.
“It’s always good when you’re ahead and everyone’s feeling it, good at-bats [all around],” Park said.
A stiff breeze and bright sun made life difficult for Niagara’s fielders, as more than a couple of easily playable hits dropped, leading to more scoring opportunities for the Bobcats. Wild pitches and passed balls were also the order of the day, as Mora scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth.
The game ended via run-rule when Park singled in the eighth, pushing Mora across and junior pinchrunner Sampson Pugh. Park went two-for-four with four RBI and both opened and closed scoring for the Bobcats.
Trout said he is encouraged, but is shifting focus to he opponents on the schedule this week with future Pac-12 Gonzaga coming in on Friday.
“There’s always things we can improve, but tomorrow is a day off for our guys, and then we will see how we match up [with Gonzaga] and it’s fun to do that,” Trout said. And we will do it two weeks later with Washington State. Hopefully we will welcome them to good ol’ Slam Marcos.”
The Bobcats hit the road for the first time this season, heading to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
