In College Station, Texas, the Texas State Bobcats faced a tough end to their season. After losing to the No. 25 USC Trojans 15-4, they were officially out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. This defeat mirrored their previous loss to No. 12 Texas A&M just days before.
The Trojans, who had struggled in their earlier game against Lamar, turned their fortunes around in this elimination match. While both teams used their bullpens extensively, Texas State had to dig deeper, using nine pitchers compared to USC’s four.
Despite the loss, head coach Steven Trout focused on the positives. “Making it to the regional is a win for us,” he said. He emphasized that reaching this level is a step forward for the program.
The game started poorly for Texas State. USC quickly jumped ahead, scoring four runs in the first inning, led by Kevin Takeuchi’s grand slam. Trojan pitcher Diego Velazquez thrived under the early lead, allowing him to pitch confidently.
Texas State started to find some rhythm in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. Senior Coy DeFury hit a significant home run, marking the team’s 116th of the season—a new Sun Belt Conference record. DeFury noted the importance of this achievement as the team transitions to the Pac-12.
But USC continued to score, adding runs in subsequent innings. In the end, the Trojans clinched the win with a decisive four-run eighth inning.
As the game wrapped up, Texas State made room for players who will leave the team. High praise came from Trout for his senior players, who showed grit throughout the season.
While the Bobcats’ postseason journey ended, there’s optimism about the future. With fresh talent and a new conference ahead, they are eager to build on their recent experiences. “The young guys now know what it’s like to compete at this level,” Trout said, hinting at ambitions for even greater success in the near future.
As Texas State looks ahead, they have seen both challenges and triumphs this season, proving they are ready to make their mark in the upcoming Pac-12 season.
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