Feb. 22, 2008

Edinburg, Tx. - With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, Laurn Randall singled to right field to send Elliott Babcock across the plate for the Texas State Bobcats 8-7 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the 2008 season opener. The non-conference affair with the Lumberjacks was the opening contest in the Al Ogletree Classic Tournament hosted by Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas.

The Bobcats allowed one Lumberjack run in the top of the first but quickly regained ground. TXST scored one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings and capped it off with two in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead into the eighth inning.

The `Jacks rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth, cutting the `Cats lead to just one at 5-4 and put up three more in the top of the ninth for the 7-5 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Adam Witek and Thomas Field led off with back-to-back walks to put the tying runs on the base paths. Randall hit into a fielder's choice to reach first safely, allowing Witek to reach third as Field was out at second. Randall then moved to second on a wild pitch from the Lumberjacks' seventh pitcher of the game. With two outs, Ben Theriot put a single in right field, scoring Witek and Randall to force the extra frame.

Josh Walter took the mound for the Bobcats in the 10th, and forced two fly outs before striking out the third batter of the inning.

Then, in the bottom of the same inning, Babcock led off with a left field single and moved to second on a bunt from Jon Farrow. Aaron Fuller was then intentionally walked. Witek's fielder's choice put him on first while Fuller was out at second and Babcock moved to third. After Witek stole second, Field walked and brought Randall to the plate to knock in the winning run.

From the mound, Mike Hart pitched 6.0 solid innings, allowing one run of six hits. He struck out six and walked four. Walter was credited with the first win of the season.

The Bobcats will next face Illinois Saturday at 9 a.m. on Day 2 of the tournament and close out competition Sunday evening at 5 p.m. against the Sam Houston Bearkats.