Texas State baseball vs Southern Miss preview: Will Bobcats pitching shakeup payoff?

Texas State catcher Rashawn Galloway (7) steps up to bat during the game against Louisiana at Bobcat Ballpark on Saturday, March. 21, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)

Cade Smith and Wade Cooper as starters

Texas State's arms have been a roller-coaster of results. They struggled against Louisiana-Monroe, allowing 36 runs over three games. Then, it looked like things might've turned a corner after a few solid series against Louisiana, Georgia State and Georgia Southern. Concerns have arisen again following the Trojans putting up 15 and 12 runs in Saturday's doubleheader.

Trout announced Tuesday he's moved starting pitchers Kyle Froehlich and Sam Hall to the bullpen, replacing them with Wade Cooper and Cade Smith. Cooper stepped in Sunday for Hall, holding Troy to four runs (three earned) on six hits in 4⅔ innings of work. Smith pitched three innings of one-hit ball last Friday against the Trojans. He gave up six hits in Game 3, pitching on no days of rest.

The Golden Eagles appear to lack offensive punch, ranking 12th in the Sun Belt in total runs. Texas State is betting on its hottest pitchers, rather than hoping Froehlich and Hall can rediscover their form.

Can Jesus Tovar bounce back?

Jesus Tovar has had a weird stretch, pitching on Saturday two weekends in a row and allowing 15 runs between two starts. The Sunday starter initially looked fine against Troy, allowing three runs through 4⅔ innings before things fell apart.

Tovar relies on elite command to get his outs. He's struggled with it the past two weekends, walking five and giving up 15 hits. The Bobcats desperately need Tovar to rediscover his groove, as there doesn't seem to be any other option besides him.

"He's got the stuff. He got the belief in it, right?" Trout said. "One rough day doesn't change a whole lot."