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San Marcos, TX - Texas State scored a pair of unearned runs to break an eighth-inning deadlock en route to posting a 3-1 victory over Wagner in the first of a three game series at Bobcat Ballpark.

The Bobcats improve to 8-2 on the year while the Seahawks fall to 0-4 as the teams will now conclude their series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 2:00 pm due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday.

Both teams struggled on offense, combining to go just 2-for-23 with runners in scoring position as each starting pitcher was in complete control throughout the game.

Senior RHP Ryan Casey (Paramus, NJ / St. Joseph Regional) was outstanding in his second start of the season, allowing just one run on six hits over 6.2 solid innings of work.

His counterpart RHP Lucas Hampal was equally outstanding, surrendering just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.

Despite the dominance of both pitchers, neither would figure in the decision.

Both pitchers traded zeros over the first five innings before Wagner finally broke through in the sixth inning. Junior Dan Wasilick (Toms River, NJ / Toms River East) led off the frame with a two-strike single to right field. Wasilick then stole second and after senior Shaun Flynn (Tabernacle, NJ / Burlington CC) drew a walk, junior Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Neshanic Station, NJ / Somerville) opened the scoring with a run-scoring single to right center.

The Seahawks would again threaten in the top of the seventh as sophomore Vaughn Champion (Galloway, NJ / Absegami) and freshman Evan Fardella (Bartonsville, PA / Pocono Mountain East) each drew walks to lead off the frame, but were stranded in scoring position.

Texas State would rally to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of hits while chasing Casey from the game. Colby Targun singled with one out before moving to second on a ground out. Targun would then come around to score on the ensuing play when David Paiz blooped a RBI double just past the diving Fardella in right. Junior RHP Mike Adams (Egg Harbor Township, NJ / Holy Spirit) then relieved Casey and promptly got the last out of the frame while keeping the score deadlocked at 1-1.

Wagner immediately put together a rally of its own in the top of the eighth inning as Flynn reached on an error before Mazurkiewicz was plunked. Unfortunately, the duo was unable to advance further as reliever RHP Ross Goebel struck out the next two hitters before inducing an inning-ending ground out.

In the bottom part of the frame, the Bobcats took control of the game with a pair of unearned runs on two bases loaded walks in taking an insurmountable 3-1 advantage.

Hunter Lemke then closed out the Seahawks in the top of the ninth with a perfect inning of work.

Goebel (1-0) struck out three over 2.0 hitless innings in earning the win while Adams (0-1) was saddled with the loss.

Seven of the nine Green & White regulars reached base safely, led by Mazurkiewicz, who was 1-for-2 with a RBI, walk and HBP.  Dini went 1-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases while Flynn drew a pair of walks to round out the top performers for Wagner.

Texas State was led by the top of the order, which went 4-for-12 with three RBI, three walks and a run.

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