Freshman pitcher Wade Cooper tossed his first ever complete game as the Texas State Bobcats defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 6-2 to open their penultimate weekend series Friday evening at Tomlinson Stadium-Slayton Family Field in Jonesboro, Ark.
After quite a rough stretch for the Bobcats (29-21, 11-14 SBC) in the past few weeks, they notched their second consecutive win thanks to Cooper’s strong pitching performance as the freshman stifled the Red Wolves (28-20, 11-14 SBC) offense, striking out 12 batters while allowing only two earned runs to earn his fifth victory of the season on 110 pitches.
Arkansas State got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning. The Bobcats were held hitless through the first three innings, but that changed in the top of the fourth.
Texas State outfielders Rashawn Galloway and Jaquae Stewart both singled in the inning, while freshman catcher Clayton Namken walked to load the bases with two outs. Junior second baseman Justin Vossos delivered with a single to left field that scored two runs, pushing the Bobcats out in front with a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth frame, Red Wolves shortstop Patrick Engskov homered to set the game back to even at two-apiece.
The Bobcats wasted no time retaking the lead, as junior designated hitter Manny Salas drove home sophomore shortstop Brady Boles in the top of the fifth.
Heading into the game’s final inning, the ‘Cats maintained a 4-2 lead and placed an emphasis on getting their starting pitcher more run support. Namken, who finished the game with two RBI, brought in a run via fielder choice and Bennet Fryman singled to push across the final run of the game.
With three runs to spare, Texas State comfortably closed out the game with Cooper striking out three batters to win their second game of the week.
The Sun Belt foes will meet again at 6 p.m. on May 9 in Jonesboro, Ark. as the Bobcats seek to win their first weekend series in over a month. The game will be available on ESPN+.
