Nicholls Upsets Top Seeded Texas State in Opening Round, Again
SAN MARCOS, Texas - For the second consecutive season, No. 8 seed Nicholls pulled off the opening-round upset of No. 1 seed Texas State, handing the Bobcats a 6-0 loss on its home turf Wednesday night at the 2011 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament at Bobcat Ballpark.
Last year, the Colonels sent Texas State to the loser's bracket with a 13-2 eight-inning, run-rule decision in the opening round. That was the same one versus eight matchup, but at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.
Wednesday, Nicholls (27-27) held a 2-0 lead through seven before plating three in the eighth and another in the ninth.
Nicholls got its first run in the top of the third inning when Chase Jaramillo followed back-to-back one-out singles with a shot into right field to score Philip Lyons. Then in the sixth, Hill doubled to left and then scored on a single to left by Scott Mosely.
The Colonels opened it up in the eighth scoring three runs to build a 5-0 lead. Hill doubled to right-center field to score Jaramillo who led off the inning with a double. Mike Barba came on to pinch run for Hill and after he moved to third on a passed ball before scoring on double down the left-field line by Scott Moseley. He stole third and scored when Texas State right fielder Cory Falvey dropped a fly ball. Austin Flores got credit for the sacrifice on the error.
Nicholls plated a single run in the ninth on a Barba single that scored Ray Eureste, who reached on a four-pitch walk to start the inning.
Jaramillo and Mosely each were 3-for-5. Mosely had two RBI, while Jaramillo, Hill, Barba and Flores each drove in one.
Colonels ace Seth Webster tossed his seventh complete game of the season, scattering nine hits. He struck out five and walked two of the 37 batters he faced to improve to 7-3 on the year.
Texas State (35-21), which was shut out for just the second time this season, certainly had its chances, getting the lead-off man on base in each of the last seven innings. The Bobcats stranded 10 in the game. Christian Gallegos was the only Bobcat with multiple hits. He went 2-for-4. Pitcher Mitchell Pitts took the loss to drop to 5-3 on the year.
While the Southland Conference regular-season champion has also won the tournament seven times, it has happened just twice since 1993. Now faced with elimination, Texas State will have to win five consecutive games to pull off a double that hasn't been done since Lamar won both in 2004.
Nicholls will play No. 5 seed Sam Houston State Thursday at 7 p.m. While Texas State will face No. 4 seed Southeastern Louisiana Thursday at noon. Every game of the tournament is being streamed on SLC NOW, free on Southland.org.
Game Four Quotes
Nicholls head coach Seth Thibodeaux
"We were very determined tonight, our guys played well last week and I think it carried over this week. We're really believing right now."
On Seth Webster
He wants to make sure he puts us on his back. He's a very good leader and a hard worker.
Nicholls Shortstop Chase Jaramillo
"It's a huge win. We come out here every day and try to play the best we can. We couldn't ask anymore out of anybody."
On Seth Webster
"He always has the mindset. Even when he's not at his best he's a competitor, he finds a way to win."
Pitcher Seth Webster
On game calling of Coach Chris Prothro and catcher Jason Dennis
"They both had a plan and we played pretty good defense tonight. We have some great arms out there, I'm definitely happy with our outfield."
On coming out and beating Texas State this time around
"Two weeks ago I was behind with hitters the whole day, not starting people off with strikes. Coach Prothro stresses throwing two out of the first three pitches for strikes. When we do that we can beat anyone in the conference."
Texas State head coach Ty Harrington
"It was one of those situations where we had some opportunities to do some things. I thought we had some good swings at (Nicholls pitcher Seth Webster). When he had to make a big pitch he did, and that was a difference in the game."
On upsets in the Southland tournament
"We knew going into it that we were facing one of the best pitchers in the conference. Our conference is easily balanced, there's no question about that."
On Mitchell Pitts' performance
"He did battle hard. It was the fourth time they've seen him, and I knew they would have an idea of what his stuff was like. He battled just like I knew he would. We got out of him what I thought we would. I anticipated we would relieve better but they separated the game."
On another loss to Nicholls and whether the team can bounce back
"We'll find out. We don't have a choice but be disappointed, but we'll move on to the next moment. That's what we do."