University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Texas State
Cajuns Drop Series Opener To Texas State
2/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Friday, February 20, 2004
SAN MARCOS, TX- Missed chances and defensive miscues didn't help the Cajuns in the series opener as the Bobcats held on for 6-4 win Friday night at Bobcat Field in San Marcos. The Cajuns left 12 baserunners on through nine innings as the Cajuns dropped to 1-1 on the season.
Brandt Sanders took the loss for the Cajuns after giving up two runs on four hits.
Michael Gultz got the win for Texas State after going 3.1 innings and giving up one run on four hits.
Shortstop/pitcher Dominic Ramos came in to save the win as Texas State advanced to 7-2 on the season.
Cajuns righty Jeff Morgan got out of the first with no damage done after getting behind in the count to the first two batters faced.
Lead off hitter John Coker singled to short to get on base but was thrown out on a fielders choice off of the bat of Josh Landry.
More opportunities to get ahead of Texas State would pass the Cajuns in the second as Rhett Buras was caught stealing third after reaching on a double.
Bobcats first baseman Mark Cooper opened the third with a single to the right side. Morgan walked the next batter to bring up the designated hitter Emi Alaniz who put down a sacrifice bunt advancing the runners. Dawid Bednarick grounded out to short but drove in Cooper. The next hitter Patrick Crumpton hit a bloop single to left center that scored a run. Morgan would escape the inning surrendering the two runs.
The Cajuns would get one back in the top of the third when Coker walked on four straight with two outs in the inning. Landry doubled to bring him around. Micah Cockrell singled off of Schappert's foot to advance Landry to third but; catcher Ryan Core would strike out swinging to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth, again with two outs, the Cajuns threatened. Phillip Hawke was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a Kevin Preau double down the right field line. Dallas Morris walked to load the bases. Coker lined out to the shortstop to end the inning.
Landry struck out swinging, Micah Cockrell reached on a single to right center to start the first half of the fifth. Core walked and Morris hit a single to load the pads for Buras who knocked a seeing-eye single up the middle to plate the two runners and give the Cajuns the 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Texas State's Dominic Ramos reached on an error and advanced to third on an Evan Tierce lined shot to center. Richard Martinez drove in a run on a double down the first base line. After striking out the cleanup hitter, Brandt Sanders gave up a single to Mark Cooper giving Texas State the 5-4 lead.
Coker singled and stole second in the top of the sixth. Relief pitcher Michael Gultz walked Micah Cockrell to put runners on first and second. Core grounded out to third to halt the Cajuns' threat.
In the seventh, Richard Martinez reached on an error and Thad Montgomery issued a walk to Matt Miller. After a great diving stab by Dallas Morris to hold the baserunners getting the first out of the inning. Anson grounded into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
With two outs, Coker again singled up the middle to reach base and stole second. Landry drove in the speedy center fielder with a single to right center.
The Bobcats would add an insurance run on an error in the eighth to take the 6-4 lead.
The Cajuns will look to answer in Game two of the three game set. Tomorrow's first pitch is slated for 3pm, with the Sunday finale beginning at 1pm.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
