ARLINGTON, Texas. (02/22/09) ? Arkansas State (1-3) took a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning, but the Texas State Bobcats (2-1) plated one run in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to nip the Red Wolves Sunday afternoon in the UT-Arlington/Hilton Invitational at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

“Offensively, you've got to score more than two runs in Division I baseball in order to win,” said ASU Head Coach Tommy Raffo.  “But our pitchers did a tremendous job and kudos to them.  We made a lot of different moves, we had a game plan going in and (pitching) coach (Justin) Meccage did a wonderful job of getting them ready.  To hold Texas State to three runs was tremendous, and you've got to win those games.”

Arkansas State used five pitchers in the game to hold the Bobcats to three runs on seven hits.  Sophomore Drew Benes started and worked three innings without giving up a run on two hits and three walks, with one strikeout.  Junior Cory Lambert threw 2.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits with one walk, junior Ryan Blackburn gave up one run on one hit, with a walk and a strikeout, and sophomore Andy Ferguson gave up one run on one hit and a walk.  Senior Nick Lambert pitched one-third of an inning without surrendering a run on one hit, no walks and no strikeouts.

Arkansas State struck first with two runs in the fifth.  Junior left fielder Josh DeMoney led off the inning with a single up the middle, moved to second on a ground-out from junior second baseman Giovanni Garcia and scored on a triple from senior third baseman Guy Brown.  Brown scored on a sacrifice fly to right field from sophomore designated hitter Drew Benes for the 2-0 Red Wolf advantage.

Texas State got on the board with a run in the sixth, using an RBI single from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to cut the ASU lead in half, then added another run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from left fielder Tyler Sibley to tie the game at 2-2.

Ferguson (1-1) took the loss on the mound for Arkansas State while senior Kane Holbrooks (1-0) got the win for Texas State, with senior Tyler Brundridge earning the save.

Sophomore Todd Baumgartner, juniors Josh DeMoney and Garcia, and seniors Brandon Eller and Brown all had one hit to lead ASU at the plate.  Sophomore Bret Atwood had two hits to lead the Bobcats.

Next up for the Red Wolves is the 2009 home opener, set for next weekend at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.  Arkansas State will play host to SIU-Edwardsville in a three-game series beginning Friday, Feb. 27 at 6:00 p.m.  Saturday's first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m., with the series finale getting underway Sunday at 1:00 p.m.