Texas State baseball vs Coastal Carolina takeaways: Bobcat bats break out of slump

Texas State Bobcats infielder Dawson Park (3) reacts to scoring a home run as the Texas Longhorns and Texas State Bobcats face off in San Marcos Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)

Pitching staff continues to improve

It's a small sample size, but the shift in Texas State's starting rotation has paid major dividends. Right-hander Wade Cooper had another solid start, going 6⅓ innings, striking out eight and allowing four earned runs. Fellow righty Cade Smith did even better, recording six Ks and holding Coastal Carolina's bats to one run through seven innings of work.

Unfortunately for Texas State fans, Jesus Tovar struggles continued Sunday despite the win. He lasted 3⅔ innings, giving up four runs on four hits and failing to make it to the fifth inning for the fourth-straight start. The Bobcats do not need Tovar to be perfect, but head coach Steven Trout said last Tuesday, following a win over Incarnate Word, that he expects better from his Sunday starter.

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A chance to make up ground

Texas State went 1-5 against the top two teams in the Sun Belt. It was not ideal, but the Bobcats have a chance to make up ground this weekend against the South Alabama Jaguars.

South Alabama is one game ahead of Texas State in the standings. A sweep would flip the two's positions, while a series win would push the Bobcats into a tie. Texas State's 10-11 conference record is tied with four other teams in the Sun Belt. It faces two of them, Arkansas State and Marshall, to close out the season.