SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Huskies battled back with late inning rally to get within striking distance but couldn't hold off Texas State, falling 6-12. Top six of HCU's starting lineup tallies a hit in the midweek matchup at Bobcat Ballpark.

In the first at-bat of the game in the top of the first inning, Samuel Benjamin grinded his way to a 3-2 count before sending a deep shot to right field to jump the Huskies out to an early lead. HCU added another run when Trevor Roper stole home to grab a 2-0 lead. The Bobcats responded posting four runs in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 4-1 advantage. Texas State increased the margin to six runs tacking on four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take an, 8-2, lead. The Huskies narrowed the gap to three runs with back-to-back home runs off the bat of William Jewell in the top of the sixth inning and eight inning. In the next at-bat, Tyler LaRue was dealt a five-pitch walk before advancing to third on a Dylan LaRue' single through the right side and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Katcher Halligan to minimize the deficit to two at 6-8. A grand slam by the Bobcat's Aaron Lugo in the bottom of the eighth inning extended the lead back to six runs and closed the game out at 6-12.

The Huskies (7-10) were led by Jewell matching his season total home runs going 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Trevor Roper extends his multi-hit games to three going 2-for-4 with two runs, a double and a stolen base. Benjamin tied Jewell and Tyler LaRue with four home runs on the season going 1-for-4 with a solo-shot while Halligan went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Keevyn Goss (0-1) was tagged with the loss pitching .1 innings to start the game allowing four earned runs on two hits with four walks and a strikeout. Jarek Wells pitched three shutout innings of relief giving up three hits with four strikeouts and a walk before allowing three runs, two earned runs, on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nicholas Willard replaced Wells pitching two innings of relief allowing one run, no earned runs on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts. Brock Shoffner and Brayden Gilley pitched 1.2 combined shutout innings of relief with Gilley recording a strikeout.

Texas State (9-8) was led by Aaron Lugo going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, a double, six RBIs, three runs and a walk. Daylan Pena went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, a run and a walk while Davis Powell also went 2-for-4 with a run. Peyton Zabel (2-1) earned the win pitching 3.2 innings of relief allowing an earned run on one hit with a walk and four strikeouts. Calen Graham started the game pitching 3.1 innings giving up two earned runs on four hits with a strikeout. Jonathan Marinez and Tony Robie combined for 1.2 shutout innings of relief with Robie notching two strikeouts.

The Huskies will return to Houston to close out non-conference play against cross town rival, Rice, in a three-game weekend series. HCU has two victories against the Owls since 2014 with the first in an 11-inning thriller resulting in an 8-7 win for the Huskies back in 2018. The second win for HCU matched the score with an 8-7 win in game one of the three-game series at Rice in 2021. Head coach, Lance Berkman, will return to his alma mater looking to reminisce on fond memories with the Owl program where he set the Rice career records in home runs (67), RBIs (272), runs scored, and slugging percentage. A two-time All-American leading the Owls to their first College World Series appearance in 1997 tallying 132 wins in three years with the Owls, Berkman will return to Reckling Park looking for his first win at his former ballpark as leader of the Husky program.

Rice (5-11) are coming off a four-game road trip to Hawaii falling to the Rainbow Warriors 3-1 for the series. The Owls are led by Nathan Becker hitting .321 average with 11 RBIs, 11 walks, five doubles and five runs. Jack Riedel is on a nine-game hitting streak batting .277 average 14 RBIs, nine runs, five home runs and five walks. Kyte McDonald is on a four-game hitting streak including two multi-hit games going 7-for-18 (.388 avg.) over the stretch with a home run, a double, four RBIs and two runs.

Three-game schedule vs. Rice:
Friday, March 15^th – 6:30 p.m. – Reckling Park (Rice)
Saturday, March 16^th – 1 p.m. – Husky Field (HCU)
Sunday, March 17^th – 1 p.m. – Reckling Park (Rice)

Live broadcast will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com!