MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — Texas State held off a late rally by Appalachian State to win 6-5 on Wednesday evening at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, a Sun Belt matchup that saw the Bobcats build a four-run lead and withstand a furious Mountaineers comeback.

Texas State starter Wade Cooper worked six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out four while scattering few threats early. The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Rashawn Galloway doubled and scored on a single by Salas. Salas later stole second and came home on a sacrifice fly by Namken, making it 2-0.

Appalachian State answered in the bottom of the second. After a walk and a single, Jalen Seward’s bunt single loaded the bases. A groundout by Denton brought in the first run, but Cooper escaped further damage with a strikeout and a groundout.

The Mountaineers cut the lead to 2-1 in the third. After a hit batter and a wild pitch, Miller doubled to deep center to score Luft. But Cooper picked Miller off second to end the inning.

Texas State broke the game open in the top of the sixth. With one out, Fryman singled, and after a popout, Boles was hit by a pitch. Blake Beheler then doubled to deep center, clearing the bases to make it 4-2. Galloway followed with an RBI single, scoring Beheler and pushing the lead to 6-2.

Appalachian State responded in the bottom half when Seward launched a solo home run to left, his fifth of the season, cutting the margin to 6-3.

The Mountaineers continued to chip away in the eighth. After Texas State reliever Dylan Kerbow allowed a single and a walk, Kyle Froehlich entered and gave up a two-out double to Nico Soul that scored two runs, trimming the lead to 6-5.

In the ninth, Appalachian State put the tying run on base when Puig doubled with two outs, scoring Mora from first, but Miller grounded out to end the game.

Cooper earned the win for Texas State, improving its record to 35-22. Appalachian State fell to 29-23. Gage Peterson took the loss despite striking out six over seven innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits.

Beheler finished with two RBIs, and Galloway went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. For Appalachian State, Seward went 2-for-4 with a homer, and Soul drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

The Bobcats’ bullpen held on despite some tense moments. Froehlich recorded the final two outs of the eighth and the first two in the ninth, and Ethan Wilson closed the door for Texas State.

The top of the sixth proved decisive, as Beheler’s double swung the momentum and gave the Bobcats a cushion they ultimately needed.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Texas State 8, Appalachian State 4, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Texas State a 56.70 percent probability to win.