STAFF REPORT

HUNTSVILLE – The Texas State Bobcats apparently like waking up early, which is unusual for ball players.

The Bobcats took a 6 a.m. wake-up call to make a 9 a.m. game Wednesday against Texas-Arlington, then set three team records and four tournaments record in a 22-2 run-rule victory, advancing through the first-round of the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Bobcats advance to play Lamar, which won the SLC East this year and scored four runs in the ninth inning Wednesday to beat Southeastern Louisiana, 7-4. The Bobcats and second-seeded Lamar will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday in the second round of the winner’s bracket.

Texas State set team and tournament records with ten runs in the sixth inning, 22 runs in the game and 24 hits in the game. Texas State catcher Ben Theriot drove in seven runs to set a team record.

The Bobcats scored five runs in the first inning, starting when Thomas Field walked, stole second and crossed on a single by Paul Goldschmidt, who notched the first of his four RBI.

Eight Texas State players ended the game with at least two hits and at least two runs. Designated hitter Spenser Dennis went four-for-five with four-for-five with three RBI.

Theriot’s three-run homer highlighted Texas State’s ten-run sixth inning. Oddly, for such a high scoring affair, Theriot’s was the only home run of the game.

“I didn’t know it was going over, but once it did I was pretty excited,” Theriot said. “This win set the tone for the rest of the tournament and coming in hot like this can only help us.”

Texas State starting pitcher Mike Hart pitched six strong innings, holding UTA to two runs on seven hits.

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Bobcats open SLC baseball tournament | May 21, 2008
• Bobcats win baseball opener at UTSA | May 15, 2008
• Baylor batters badly bash Bobcats | April 24, 2008
• Bobcats avoid sweep with Sunday win | April 28, 2008
• Bobcats win baseball finale to set up SLC Tournament | May 18, 2008