University Star

How quickly life changes on the diamond.

Basketball may be able to turn a late deficit into a victory within minutes. Football can turn momentum with one big play. But baseball standings can change within days, and make a fan do a double-take after one big series sweep.

This exact scenario happened for the Bobcats this past weekend. Texas State had lost six-straight games, vexing fans and causing media personalities to say harsh things about the offensive production. Then the Bobcats rallied the season with a three-game sweep, the team’s first of a Southland Conference opponent this year. Not only was it a sweep, but one against the Central Arkansas Bears, who the Bobcats trailed in the standings by two games. With the sweep, the Bobcats leapfrogged not only the Bears, but also McNeese State and Northwestern State to climb to fourth place in conference.

 This is a relief, to say the least. It proves the Bobcats weren’t going the way of the Kansas City Royals and that embarrassing franchise, or the Pittsburgh Pirates and their consistent losing ways. No, this proves baseball has a long season and sometimes, when it seems like a team is bowing out, it only takes 72 hours to surge right back.

Whatever Coach Ty Harrington and his staff did to improve the offensive production after the 2-0 loss to Texas, it worked. During the six-game losing streak, the team was manhandled, getting outscored 36-11. In the three-game sweep last weekend, the Bobcats outshone the Bears 21-9.

To lift spirits even higher, the Bobcats’ remaining schedule becomes the easiest in the Southland Conference. Texas State has a series left with Nicholls State, Lamar and UTSA — the three worst records in the conference. They’ll finish with Northwestern State, who has lost six-straight. To make happy fans even happier, the Bobcats host the Southland Conference Tournament this season and have a 16-3 record at home. They have the best home record in the SLC, and the best home record for Texas State since the renovated baseball park concluded construction.

All of these factors add up to yet another legitimate shot for Texas State to finish with a Southland Conference crown once again, if the Bobcats can conquer some tremendous league foes. Texas State finished 2-7 against the three teams ahead of them in the standings (Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas-Arlington). They got swept by Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana (crushed in those two series, 12-43).

The Bobcats certainly have the talent. They have another chance to make a statement to the Western Athletic Conference, the Sun Belt and the Mountain West/Conference-USA. This is not to say it will deter conferences from staying away from the San Antonio market. Since the Bobcats don’t have the television market the Alamo City does, San Marcos needs every chance to shine. Baseball can give those conferences just as quick a double-take as the team gave fans last weekend.