SAN MARCOS, Texas (Interstat) — Manny Salas launched a three-run homer to cap a nine-run seventh inning, powering Texas State to a 10-4 victory over Washington State in the first game of a doubleheader Friday at Bobcat Ballpark.

The Bobcats, who improved to 11-3 overall, sent 13 batters to the plate in the decisive seventh, erasing a 4-1 deficit and turning a tight contest into a rout. Washington State fell to 6-8.

The game’s most critical sequence began with the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk chased Washington State starter Griffin Smith, Clayton Namken greeted reliever Sheldon A with an RBI double to give Texas State its first lead at 5-4. Following another walk, Rashawn Galloway cleared the bases with a two-run double to center, pushing the advantage to 7-4.

Two batters later, Salas, the designated hitter, delivered the crushing blow. He drove a pitch over the left-field fence for a three-run shot, his first hit of the day, plating Galloway and J. Cotton to extend the lead to 10-4. Salas finished 1 for 3 with four RBIs.

Until the seventh, the game was a pitchers’ duel dominated by the longball. Washington State catcher Cameron Macleod provided all the early offense for the Cougars, hitting a solo homer in the fifth inning and a two-run blast in the ninth. He went 2 for 4 with three RBIs.

Texas State chipped away at a 4-0 Washington State lead, which was established before the first pitch due to undisclosed circumstances not detailed in the provided play-by-play. Namken hit a solo homer in the third inning to get the Bobcats on the board. In the sixth, Salas drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before shortstop Dawson Park tied the game with a two-run homer to center.

Smith took the loss for Washington State despite a strong start. He allowed five earned runs on no hits over six innings, striking out five but walking seven. The decisive runs scored after he departed. Alex Yearwood earned the win in relief for Texas State, throwing 2 2/3 perfect innings with six strikeouts after entering in the fifth.

The Bobcats’ bullpen combination of Braylen Timmins, Yearwood, and Nolan Moore retired 16 consecutive Cougars from the end of the fourth inning into the ninth, allowing the offense time to mount its comeback.

Texas State’s nine-hit attack was led by Namken, who was 2 for 4 with a homer, a double, and two RBIs, and Galloway, who went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Friday.