Baseball team falls to Texas State

Billy Rutledge

Missed opportunities were WKU’s calling card as they left 11 runners on base in a 7-5 loss to the Texas State Bobcats on Sunday.

This was the second loss to the Bobcats as the Toppers dropped the weekend series 2-1.

WKU had an opportunity to tie the game in both the eighth and ninth innings but were unable to do so. Down two runs, the first two batter got on for WKU in the 9th, but a fly out and a 4-3 double play ended the game.

“Timely hitting,” coach Matt Myers said. “It comes down to timely hitting in close games like this on sunday and they did a great job getting fastballs and having good sacks and i thought we were a tick behind. We didn’t quit, played hard.”

Senior Jake Thompson struggled early and often starting for the Toppers only going two and a third innings, giving up five runs on five hits. Two triples and a home run did the most damage against Thompson as he threw more walks (two) than strikeouts (one). It was the shortest outing for him this season after taking the Sunday starter job at the beginning of the year.

WKU was quick to respond as young hitters decided to step up. Freshman Leiff Clarkson had a two run single while sophomore Trevor Lowe tied the game on a RBI single in the second. 

But the Bobcats didn’t waste anytime in the third as Granger Studdard hit a two-run home run to gain back the lead 5-3.

Junior Brandon Allen came in and easily had his best outing of the year. Before sundays game Allen was carrying a 6.75 ERA. He pitched 4.1 innings allowing two hits and zero runs. His effort kept the Toppers in it but the Bobcats took advantage of him leaving the game.

Junior Brennan Pearson came into the game next but didn’t last one inning. He gave up back to back home runs in the 8th inning which allowed the Bobcats to gain some insurance runs which they needed.

WKU managed to score two in the 8th off a two run double by senior Scott Wilcox to cut the lead to 7-5 but couldn’t complete the comeback. The Toppers had the tying run at the plate four times in the last two innings. 

“I think we need to pick it up (energy) a little bit weather were trailing or up. We need to continue to keep pushing forward, our best ball is ahead of us.”

Senior Regan Flaherty was a bright spot for the Toppers as he went 3-4 and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. That streak is the most by any current WKU player ever. A run in the first, double in the third, and a single in the ninth wasn’t enough to put the Toppers in the win column.

Another player that shined was Clarkson as he ended the game 4-4 but with two errors. Clarkson is in place for the injured junior shortstop Cody Wofford who is expected to return next weekend.

WKU’s next game is Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark against the Louisville Cardinals.