Stephen F. Austin
Texas State
`Jacks Fall to Bobcats
3/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 4, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack baseball team jumped out to a three-run lead Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough to hold off Texas State, as the `Jacks dropped a 7-3 decision Saturday afternoon. The Lumberjacks are now 4-12 (.333) on the season and 1-1 (.500) in Southland Conference play.
The game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the fourth inning when the Lumberjacks struck for three runs. Junior Steven Hill led off the inning with a single, and eventually advanced to second on a pitch in the dirt that was mishandled by Bobcat catcher David Bednarek. Junior Chris Smith drove Hill in from third with a single to left field. Smith would eventually score on a sacrifice fly from junior Rickey Thomas. Freshman Zach Gardner drove in the final run of the inning with his double to right field.
The lead didn't last long as Lumberjack starter Jake Leonhardt ran into trouble in the top of the fifth. After surrendering back-to-back singles, Bobcat leadoff hitter Heath Keel doubled to left to score David Bednarek and Thomas Field. The Bobcats tacked on three more runs in the fifth.
SFA had a couple more opportunities offensively advancing runners to third in the fifth and seventh innings, but were unable to bring them home. Texas State added two more runs in the top of the seventh to close out the seventh.
Leonhardt went 4.1 innings, surrendering six hits and three runs, only two earned, while striking out three batters. SFA was led by sophomore Buck Britton who finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored. Both Gardner and Smith finished the game with a hit and an RBI. The `Jacks stole four bases as a team.
SFA returns to action Sunday when they host Texas State in the rubber game of the series. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. from Jaycees Field.
-SFA-
