Texas State Battles Back for 5-2 Victory, Eliminates Southeastern Louisiana
SAN MARCOS, Texas - Top-seeded Texas State scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come back from a 2-0 deficit and eliminate No. 4 seed Southeastern Louisiana Thursday at Bobcat Ballpark.
It was an improbable big innings for the Bobcats, who started the frame with a ground out and fly out. Christian Gallegos was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single by Tyler Sibley. Bret Atwood drove in Texas State's first run of the tournament with a single up the middle. That prompted the Lions to pull starting pitcher Brandon Efferson in favor of freshman Jason Greenleaf. Atwood immediately stole second to put both runners in scoring position.
Greenleaf got Kyle Kubitza to pop up down the left field line, but left fielder Jeff Harkensee dropped what would have been the third out of the inning and both Sibley and Atwood scored to give Texas State (36-21) a 3-2 lead.
On the very next pitch, Casey Kalenkosky sent a shot over the left-field fence to give him the school's single-season home run record with 19. The two-run shot gave the Bobcats a three-run cushion.
The Lions (35-22), who went in order in the top of the ninth, got their first two batters on base to start the ninth. Cryer grounded to the third base bag and Kubitza threw over the second for the second out and then on to first, but Cryer just beat the throw avoiding the triple play. Brock Hebert struck out swinging to end the game.
That was the 10th strikeout of the game for Texas State starter Carson Smith, the two-time Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year. He allowed the two Southeastern runs on four hits and five walks. He improved to 9-3 with the win.
The game had been going the way of the Lions early. They got a runs in the first and fifth innings and Efferson was cruising on the hill. Jeff Harkensee drove in the first run on a single to left center and Brock Hebert scored squeeze bunt by Jacob Fisher.
Efferson went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits to drop his record to 8-5. He walked just one and fanned eight. Greenleaf finished the seventh and Stefan Lopez finished the game.
Sibley, Atwood and Kalenkosky each had two hits as Texas State totaled eight in the game. Kalenkosky drove in two runs and Atwood had the other RBI. Southeastern had four hits, including two from Justin Boudreaux.
Texas State awaits the loser between Sam Houston State vs. Nicholls game Friday at noon. The Bearkats and Colonels play a winner's bracket game Thursday at 7 p.m. Every game of the tournament is being streamed live on SLC NOW, available free on Southland.org.
Game Six Quotes
Texas State Coach Ty Harrington
"It was a game with two really good baseball teams going right at each other. I thought it was very competitive. Both teams tried to play good defense and obviously both teams played incredibly well. For six innings we couldn't do much, and finally one of our seniors Bret Atwood comes up with a big hit and we finally score a run."
On decision to leave Carson Smith in for the ninth
"The decision in the ninth is do you go with Smitty (Carson Smith) or do you go with your closer? Smitty wanted the baseball, and when you got a guy as good as he is, who'd only given up three hits, it's hard to turn him away."
Texas State First Baseman Casey Kalenkosky
On the pop fly hit by Kyle Kubitza
"We knew it was going to be a tough play. They were playing him pretty deep since he can sting the ball at any time. When it went up you start hoping, see them running and see it drop in the middle."
On school-record 19th home run
"It felt really good. I knew the pitcher had to be rattled after the pop fly and he wanted to throw a strike and get ahead in the count. I was able to take advantage of an opportunity. I saw it was a first pitch fastball he threw to Kyle and I knew when I got up there he was going to try to work ahead."
Texas State Starting Pitcher Carson Smith
On getting run support late
"I was battling all game and I knew the hitters were battling too up at the plate. Balls weren't going our way, but we finally found some holes and the ball dropped in front of the left fielder."
On the pop fly hit by Kyle Kubitza
"I was praying it was going to drop. I looked at him and thought the sun might be in his eyes a little bit. I thought I heard the shortstop call him off, so lucky for us he had trouble with it."
Southeastern Louisiana Coach Jay Artiques
On starting pitcher Brandon Efferson's performance
"Brandon did a great job. He was locating all three of his pitches. He threw his slider for strikes, threw his curveball for strikes, and had a good handle on his fastball. He did a great job today."
On Jeff Harkensee's error in left field in the seventh inning
"It was a tough play. It was a high sky, and the ball got up there, and it was tough to see."