JONESBORO, Ark. (Interstat) — Texas State scored five runs in the first inning and never trailed, beating Arkansas State 8-3 on Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field. The Bobcats improved to 30-21, 28-21 for the Red Wolves.

Clayton Namken doubled in a run in the opening frame, Justin Vossos followed with a two-run single and Chase Mora homered for two more. Texas State added two runs in the second on singles by Jaquae Stewart and Bennett Fryman. Arkansas State answered in the fourth on solo homers by Derek Martinez and Lane Walton, plus a sacrifice fly, but Fryman drove in an unearned run in the seventh.

Texas State starter Cade Smith pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs with no hits and five strikeouts. Alec Beversdorf and Cameron O’Banan combined for three hitless innings of relief. Kole Turner threw 7 1/3 innings for Arkansas State, allowing three hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts while taking the loss.

The Bobcats had eight hits, matching the Red Wolves, but Arkansas State grounded into three double plays. Texas State won the series opener 6-2 on Friday.