By Colton Gibson
SAN MARCOS, Texas- The Texas State baseball team is vying to reach the NCAA Tournament again for the first time since the 2022 season.
The Bobcats out of San Marcos, Texas are trying to push their way into the postseason again after missing the tournament last season. The team has to first survive the competitive Sun Belt Conference schedule and tournament respectively, as the 14 schools typically produce two to four spots in the tournament. The Bobcats are currently 24-25 and sitting at 11th place in the Sun Belt with two weeks of the conference schedule left to go.
Texas State started out with a winning record and a handful of impressive wins. A close-game against a top-5 opponent and a trip to Houston had the Bobcats feeling on top of the world.
“Things were looking good when we headed to Houston and we had some classics against UH and UT,” Texas State student Reagan Derrick said. “We only lost to the reigning champions {LSU} by five so hopes were high.”
The next few weeks did not bring the same luck as the team fell to a sweep by the Sam Houston Bearkats and a rough home loss against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi.
“This was the moment where I told myself that this season might not be as good as I expected.” Derrick said.
Following this rough stretch, Texas State began their Sun Belt Conference schedule with a home series against the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Texas State student and baseball fan, Bradley Guilbeau, recalled the up and down start to the conference schedule.
”We had some good series’ against App State and JMU, especially after the Dukes {JMU} had just beaten ranked Coastal Carolina,” Guilbeau said. “Everything was still looking really good for the season.
This seemed to be the peak of the season as once the team faced off against the Louisiana “Ragin Cajuns” leading to another sweep.
“This is not the team that I thought I would see get swept by Louisiana,” Derrick said. “Losing those games, especially the last one where we had the lead all the way until the 7th or 8th really brought team morale down.”
The Texas State Bobcats prepare for a midweek game against the Cardinals from the University of the Incarnate Word. The team circles up in the outfield before each game for one last talk and moment of focus. (Photo Credit:Colton Gibson) 
The Bobcats and the Cardinals faced off in San Antonio on April 16, with the Bobcats winning 10-8. Tony Robie closed out that game, but was selected as the starter for the second matchup. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
Cardinal’s infielder Ryder Hernandez taking a kneel and a moment of thought before starting the game. Hernandez is a former Bobcat that transferred to UIW. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
The Texas State bullpen is usually full of rowdy pitchers waiting their turn to get into the game. They celebrated a 3-run homer from August Ramirez that opened up the scoring. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
Tony Robie had one of his better outings this season going 5 innings. Robie allowed only 2 hits while striking out 4 Cardinals. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
Freshman standout, Ryne Farber, returned to the lineup after missing a little over a month. Farber had 2 doubles in the game and continues to be effective in his first season. (Photo Credit:Colton Gibson) 
The Texas State Diamond Sweetheart seniors were recognized during the game. The Diamond Sweethearts are an organization that attends different sporting events providing their service and support. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
August Ramirez had the hot bat as he homered for a second time in the game. This home run gave Ramirez 20 career home runs, as well as 100 career hits. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
Dalton Buckingham was used in the 7th inning and pitched around a hit and a walk that he had given up. Buckingham closed out the game with it only being 7 innings. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson) 
Texas State celebrated a run-rule victory as they defeated UIW 10-0 in 7 innings. The Bobcats look toward April 25-27, a crucial SBC series in Jonesboro against the Red Wolves from Arkansas State. (Photo Credit: Colton Gibson)
While the season up to this point had been underwhelming compared to the previous two seasons, the Longhorns always seem to bring out the best in the Bobcats. The teams once again split the home-road series but the Bobcats won the season series with their win in Houston.
”It was very similar to the past two seasons as we keep winning at their house and they keep winning at ours,” Guilbeau said. “I think the win to clinch the series was one of the biggest this season.”
After dropping series to Marshall, ULM, Arkansas State and South Alabama, the Bobcats had comfortably put themselves out of the top 10 in the Sun Belt Conference, which is needed to qualify for the SBC tournament.
”We still have a little bit left to go but things are looking dire for Texas State,” Derrick said. “At this point we need to win to get in.”
With it being a long season, many players will rise and fall throughout. Seeing who is able to break out during the season could have a big effect on the playing time they received this year and potentially in the future. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Ryne Farber.
”Farber getting hurt in the middle of the season really messed with the team I think,” Derrick said. “As soon as he came back it looked like we were going to win more games.”
Transfer student, Aaron Lugo, provided the most pop with 10 home runs so far. Former freshman standout, Chase Mora, did not have the same luck in his sophomore season.
”Lugo was really exciting to watch in Houston and while his bat was hot.” Derrick said. “I honestly thought Mora was going to transfer after last season but unfortunately his production calmed down from the crazy last season.”
While the Bobcats are currently on the outside looking in, there are still two weekends of SBC play left. Texas State sits just one game out of the top-10 and are looking to surge into the tournament field. The SBC tournament will be held in Montgomery, Alabama and will begin on May 21.
