BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State Baseball dropped a 5-4 decision against Texas State on Saturday, cutting into a 3-0 deficit with a two-run sixth and a 5-2 deficit with a two-run seventh.
With a lively crowd of 827 in attendance at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium, the Mountaineers (10-15, 3-5) totaled 12 hits and allowed just six to the Bobcats (18-9, 6-2).
Texas State took the lead with a three-run second, but
Dalton Williams' RBI single to score
Phillip Cole and
Joel McDaniel's double over the center fielder's head cut into the deficit in the sixth inning.
The Bobcats responded with two runs (one earned) in the top of the seventh inning, but
Luke Allison's leadoff walk and Cole's one-out single enabled
Tyler Leek to approach the plate with two aboard and two away. Nearly tying the game, Leek's opposite-field triple off the right-field wall brought home Allison and Cole.
Tyler Tuthill allowed only three hits, recorded five strikeouts in five innings and retired the last seven batters he faced, with two strikeouts coming in a clean fifth.
Andrew Papp pitched the final four innings, struck out four batters and allowed one earned run on three hits.
Offensively, Cole went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Williams and McDaniel were both 2-for-4.
The series concludes Sunday at 11 a.m.
App State Baseball would like to thank AutoStar Nissan of Boone for serving as the presenting sponsor of the 2019 season.
