The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 2 – Texas State 3
Records: ORU (4-2), Texas State (4-0)
Location: San Marcos, Texas (Bobcat Ballpark)
Win: Levi Wells (2-0) | Loss: Jakob Hall (1-1) | Save: Triston Dixon (1) 
 
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Despite a strong outing from Jakob Hall, the Oral Roberts baseball team dropped its series opener against Texas State, 3-2, Friday evening at Bobcat Ballpark in San Marcos, Texas.

Hall struck out a career-best eight over a career-high seven innings of work and allowed only three hits on the evening. The quality start marked the second straight for Hall to open the 2023 campaign. In relief, Jacob Widener struck out the side in the eighth. 

The Bobcats jumped in front, 1-0, in the second courtesy a solo home run off the bat of Cade Manning. Jonah Cox delivered the answer for the Golden Eagles in the top of the third as the junior plated Matt Hogan, who led off the frame with a walk, to even the score, 1-1.
 
After retiring 11 straight Bobcats, Hall ran into trouble in the sixth as Texas State regained the lead on a two-run homer from Ben McClain.

In the ninth, Sam Thompson opened the frame with a double and later came around to score on an RBI double by Jacob Godman to trim the deficit to 3-2. The ORU threat was neutralized by Triston Dixon, who retired the next two Golden Eagle batters as Texas State went on to win, 3-2. 

Inside the Box Score
- ORU logged nine hits to the Bobcats' three.
- Mac McCroskey, Jake McMurray and Godman each tallied two hits apiece.
- Hall and Widener combined for 11 strikeouts.
- Hogan registered his second steal of the season.

Notes
- Friday's series opener marked the first meeting all-time between the two clubs.
- McCroskey logged his third multi-hit performance of the season and has now reached base safely in 28 straight games, dating back to last season.
- McMurray registered his fourth multi-hit performance of the year.
- Hall set a new career-high for innings pitched (7.0) and strikeouts (8).
- Widener has struck out five of the last nine batters he has faced.

Up Next
Game two of the series is slated for tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

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