Baseball has always been a game of superstition, whether it is rally caps, not talking about a no-hitter, tapping the plate in the batters box or always using the same helmet.

Sophomore relief pitcher Hunter Lemke said Texas State baseball players are no different when it comes to jinxes, and have their own set of rituals.

“We are all very superstitious,” Lemke said. “We all have to sit in the same spot every inning. We can’t switch it up unless we aren’t [playing well].”

Lemke made 12 appearances out of the bullpen last season and finished with a 2-0 record and a 3.46 ERA. He completed 13 innings and struck out 11 batters, not allowing an earned run in his first four appearances.

Jeff McVaney, the team’s senior closer and outfielder, said he feels this year’s bullpen is the deepest he has seen in his four year stint at Texas State. McVaney had a team record of 9 saves in 26 innings last year, and is also the team’s starting centerfielder. 

Zelick’s provides several leisure activities such as pool tables, oversized jenga and washers for its patrons to enjoy. Photo by Jordan Engberg, Staff Photographer.

With various beers behind the bar, games to socialize in, and a laid back atmosphere, the local gem that is Zelick’s Icehouse, has much to offer people looking for an alternative to The Square.

Texas State alumni, Chase Katz, and his brother—Seth Katz, own the bar and seem to know what it takes to get a business started.  

“I think one of the biggest things was finding a void that we noticed in San Marcos,” Katz said.

“There’s a lot of stuff that San Marcos doesn’t have. Just being a consumer I kind of put myself on the spot and asked myself what I wanted. And I wanted a place to chill.”

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant has been in business since 1988 and is thriving more than ever with five locations around the Central Texas Area. The local location at 403 South LBJ Drive was the original eatery and is a great place to get authentic “San Marxican” food.

Selena Ybarra took over the South LBJ location after her parents retired. She said the restaurant’s success is because there are a lot of regular customers.

“All  [of our locations] do well and we’ve been really blessed,” Ybarra said. “I think it’s because it has been well known to lots of regulars.”

Garcia’s uses all fresh produce which is purchased locally in San Marcos. Garcia’s also make their own tortillas daily.

Brandon Redfield is a weekly customer and senior at Texas State. He said he likes going in for the daily specials between classes.

The Texas State men’s soccer club is the regional champion for the third time in four years, and will begin play in Phoenix, Ariz. Nov. 17 for the national title. 

Forward Joel Hargrove said the competition and talent in Texas is the best in the nation. The team will be able to effectively compete with the big name schools like Penn State and Ohio State.

Texas State men’s soccer will compete for a national championship Nov. 17 in Phoenix, AZ after winning regionals.

“I grew up playing soccer and I feel like Texas, California and Florida have the best pool of kids to choose from,” Hargrove said. “So, if we’re beating kids like this around here, and we can’t take it lightly by any chance, I feel as though we have a good chance to win some games at nationals.”

Texas State will be tested again this weekend, however, at the Texas-Pan America tournament. Texas State faces Toledo, Texas-Pan Am and South Carolina-Upstate.

Texas State’s men’s basketball team is 2-0 after its first games of the season, and the Bobcats are averaging 99 points per game.

John Bowman, a senior leader, is averaging 10 points and three assists per game. He said the Bobcats will be able to compete against these teams, even if they fall behind.

“I think we’ll respond pretty well if we’re ever down,” Bowman said. “I don’t think we have a team that will put their head down whenever things begin to go wrong. Whenever things get difficult I feel that we’ll just band together and do what we need to do.”

Coach Doug Davalos said in no way can team chemistry be overlooked when trying to win.