University Star

Bobcat baseball recorded its first sweep of a conference opponent against Central Arkansas last weekend, using an offensive explosion to capture the final game.

Tyler Sibley, senior second baseman, prepares to run to first base after making contact with the ball April 22 at the Bobcat Baseball Stadium. The Bobcats defeated the Bears 14-5.

The series win is the first since early April, when the team took two of three against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on the road. The final contest of that series triggered a six-game losing streak to the hands of Rice, Texas and Southeastern Louisiana.

“It was important for us to play well Friday night,” Coach Ty Harrington said. “I thought we played better. We didn’t have a whole lot of hit totals (Friday and Saturday), but I think we got some momentum offensively from Sunday’s game.”

Tyler Sibley, senior second baseman, captured the program’s all-time hits record (262) after leading off the bottom of the first with a double down the third base line. The Bobcats won 2-1.

“There’s probably not enough room in (this) article to talk in depth about what he has down here,” Harrington said. “You’re starting to see what he can do offensively and how good he can be. He’s been a starter for four years and has been a part of three conference championships.”

Texas State started the weekend series with a 5-3 win, using a four-run fifth inning to eventually close out the Bears. UCA started the same inning by tabbing three runs, and Texas State responded with a bases-loaded two-run double by Jeff McVaney, senior outfielder.

Travis Ballew, junior pitcher, earned his seventh win of the season, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking two batters in seven innings.

Sibley scored the only two runs for the Bobcats in game two, hitting 2-for-3. McVaney sacrificed Sibley home on two occasions. Garrett Mattlage, freshman infielder, and Brooks Orton, freshman outfielder, were the only two other batters to record hits.

Colton Turner, junior pitcher won his fourth game of the year, surrendering one run in seven innings. Turner had two strikeouts and maintained his season ERA at 1.75.

The Bobcats won the final game and series sweep with their best offensive performance this season, a 14-5 victory.

The 14 runs and 17 hits are both season-highs, as nine Bobcats recorded hits and four players had two or more.

Mattlage led the way, going 4-for-6 with two RBI and scoring three runs. McVaney went 3-for-5, collecting his fifth RBI of the weekend. Colby Targun, freshman, also recorded three hits while knocking in two runs.

“After having a losing streak, it’s nice to get a sweep,” Targun said. “The last couple of weeks, we have been putting an emphasis on our hitting. You could see today it definitely showed.”

Kyle Finnegan, sophomore pitcher, threw seven and two-thirds innings and limited the Bears to three runs on six hits.

Sibley is now the all-time Texas State leader in hits (262), doubles (48), runs (208), stolen bases (53), at bats (814) and total bases (384).

Texas State will look to continue its rise in the standings when the team travels Friday to Nicholls State. The Bobcats are 23-16 overall and 11-10 in conference.