COLLEGE STATION — Texas State baseball opens the NCAA Tournament on Friday in the College Station Regional against one of the toughest opponents it’s faced all year.

USC is the second seed in the group and ranked ninth in RPI. To advance to the winner’s bracket, the Bobcats will have to do something they haven’t done yet this year. Texas State has played two teams ranked top 10 in RPI this season: two games against Texas and a series with Southern Miss. The Bobcats lost all five games.

Advertisement

MORE: Texas A&M, USC are stiff tests in College Station Regional

USC hosts a bevy of competent pitchers, but in the hitter-friendly Blue Bell Ballpark, Texas State might have an opportunity to launch some of its customary long balls. Texas State is familiar with College Station, having fallen to Texas A&M 9-6 in March. Although the Bobcats’ own pitching has been suspect at times, they put on strong performances at times in the Sun Belt Tournament.

The winner will advance to face Texas A&M, which beat Lamar 7-5 in Friday’s first game. Here are live updates as Texas State takes on USC.

Stewart starts the second with a standup double that bounces off the centerfield wall. Infielder Justin Vossos pops up high into right field. The Trojan outfielders, confused and perhaps blinded, allow the ball to drop in between them for a double. Outfielder Jackson Cotton strikes out swinging. Mora works a full count. Mora gets Stewart home on a sacrifice fly to right field. Outfielder Bennett Fryman grounds out, limiting the damage.

Advertisement

Texas State right-hander Ryan Markwardt walks USC leadoff Abbrie Covarrubias. Infielder Adrian Lopez grounds into a fielder’s choice; Covarrubias runs to second. Markwardt walks Augie Lopez, his second of the inning. Kevin Takeuchi grounds into another fielder’s choice, and the runners move to second and third. A grounder bounces off third baseman Chase Mora’s glove, but he recovers to get Jack Basseer at first just in time.

Texas State leadoff Rashawn Galloway lines out to center. Manny Salas hits a grounder into the shift at first for an out. Catcher Clayton Namken goes down swinging for a quick inning of work from USC right-hander Grant Govel.

Advertisement

SP. RHP Ryan Markwardt

SP. RHP Grant Govel

When: 8 p.m. CT

Where: Bluebell Ball Park in College Station

TV Channel: ESPN+