Tyler Brundridge
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Houston, TX – The Texas State baseball team performed offensively with 13 hits and a combined effort from the mound led by Garret Carruth and Tyler Brundridge shut down the No. 2 Rice Owls for just seven hits and one run propelling the Bobcats to a 4-1 victory Tuesday night over the foe at Reckling Park.
The Bobcats improve to 34-12 overall and claim their third win over a ranked opponent this season. The Owls fall to 31-12 with the loss.
Texas State sprung early with two runs in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt was given a free base when he was hit by Owls starter Andrew Benak and came around to score on Keith Prestridge’s two-out double down the right line. The Bobcats added another run when Prestridge trotted home on Spenser Dennis’ single up the middle.
Rice responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth frame to narrow the Bobcat lead, 2-1. Michael Fuda led off with a double to right field and was plated by Ryan Lewis’ one-out single to centerfield. Lewis shifted to third base and on two outs was held up from scoring the tying run when Jason Martinson made a diving catch to retire the inning.
Texas State tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning, all coming with two outs. Prestridge hit a single to the shortstop and moved to second on Dennis’ single through the left side. Ben Theriot followed with another single to the left center gap to plate Prestridge and advance Dennis to third. Owls’ reliever Matthew Reckling then walked Martinson to load the bases, and struggling to find his way, walked Kyle Livingstone to bring in the final run of the night.
Carruth (4-2) earned the win after throwing six full innings, his longest stint since a win over Houston Baptist. The junior struck out one batter in his stint. Bobcat reliever Brundridge earned his third save of the season, facing just nine batters, retiring the side in the final three frames to aid the victory. Brundridge tallied three strikeouts in the decision.
Texas State was led offensively by Prestridge and Dennis who both went 3-for-5 on the night. Prestridge scored two runs and drive in one, while Dennis plated one and drive on another.
Rice starter Andrew Benak was handed the loss after going 0.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. With the loss, Benak falls to 1-1 on the year.
Texas State returns to the field Friday night for the first of three games with Nicholls. First pitch Friday night is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bobcat Field.
