SFA pulls off another sweep of an SLC foe

Thomas solid on mound for Lumberjacks

Maybe the SFA Lumberjacks still have some life, after all.

The Lumberjacks received a solid pitching performance from Kevin Thomas and pushed enough runs across the plate to complete a three-game sweep of Texas State with a 3-2 victory in a Southland Conference baseball contest Sunday afternoon at Jaycees Field, extending SFA's winning streak to eight games.

It was the Lumberjacks second-straight conference sweep after beginning league play with a 3-14 record.

With the win, along with losses by Texas-Arlington and Southeastern Louisiana, SFA (22-25, 9-14) enhanced their slim chances of making the eight-team conference tournament. Texas-Arlington (12-12) and Southeastern Louisiana (11-13) currently hold the seventh and eighth spots in the SLC, and SFA hosts Texas-Arlington in a three-game set beginning Friday at home.

"What a great effort by these kids," SFA head coach Donnie Watson said. "We have put a great eight games together. If we win our next six games, we are in the conference tournament no matter what the other teams do. I feel that if we are 13-16, we have a chance."

Thomas found himself in trouble early Sunday, giving up a solo home run to Adam Witek and allowing the Bobcats to load the bases in the first inning. However, Thomas was able to get out of the inning with only the one run allowed.

From that point on, Thomas was nearly flawless.

The Lumberjacks matched the Bobcats first-inning run with one of their own and also added a single run in the fourth and fifth innings.

After allowing a hit in both the second and third innings, Thomas held Texas State hitless for the rest of the contest.

The senior right-hander picked up the win to move to 4-4. He allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and five walks.

With the Lumberjacks head 3-1, the Bobcats used a hit by pitch, walk, a fielder's choice and a wild pitch to manufacture a run to cut the deficit to 3-2.

However, Jared West and Erich Lehmann combined for two no-hit innings in relief to finish off the Bobcats. Lehmann picked up his third save of the season.

"We caught Texas State at a good time," Watson said. "But at this level, you have to play all nine innings, and we were able to do that in this series."

Zack Tritz took the loss for Texas State (24-22, 14-10). He allowed three runs — two earned — on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game effort.

Lance Loftin led the Bobcats with two hits.

Kevin Crabtree, Justin Roland and Jeff Brewer all had two hits for SFA.