It’ll now face Texas A&M on Saturday, which defeated Lamar 7-5 in its opening game. The two teams split midweek wins in the regular season, but the stakes in this game are much higher.

The Aggies took a while to get going in their opener. Although their pitching has been suspect at times, they likely possess the two most feared hitters in College Station: outfielder Caden Sorrell and infielder Gavin Grahovac. Infielder Chris Hacopien, while not 100% healthy, adds another layer to Texas A&M’s attack.

Texas State threw the kitchen sink at USC for the 5-4 win, using five pitchers, including starter Wade Cooper, who pitched a three-inning save. The Bobcats will need to find ways to keep up with the Aggies’ offense and hope the rest of their arms can last. Left-handed pitcher Jesus Tovar starts for the Bobcats. He sports a 5.24 earned run average, but his walks-and-hits per inning pitched is 1.37, which is only .02 higher than Cooper.

The winner advances to the Regional Final on Sunday, while the other team will play an elimination game against USC. Here are live updates as Texas State takes on Texas A&M:

Outfielder Terrence Kiel goes down on strikes, Tovar’s third K of the game. He records another on infielder Boston Kellner. Grahovac cuts into the Bobcats’ lead with a solo shot to left. Sorrell singles as Mora fails to pick up a spinny grounder. Hacopien grounds out to end the top of the third.

Outfielder Jackson Cotton takes A&M right-hander Weston Moss deep again, over the left field wall, as Texas State doubles its lead. Infielder Chase Mora strikes out and outfielder Bennett Fryman grounds out. Galloway flies out to the right field warning track to end the second.

Texas A&M infielder Nico Partida leads off the second with an opposite-field single. Tovar strikes out Jake Duer. Catcher Bear Harrison flies out to left field. Tovar records his second K on infielder Ben Royo. 

Texas State leadoff Rashawn Galloway strikes out swinging. He grimaces in pain after the swing. Manny Salas sends a home run over the left field wall to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. Catcher Clayton Namken pops out into shallow right. Outfielder Jaquae Stewart hits an infield blooper into the gap between short and the pitcher. He’s out at second on a grounder by infielder Justin Vossos.

Tovar gets Grahovac to ground out. Sorrell singles up the third base line. Hacopien grounds into a double-play, ending a clean first inning of work.

SP. LHP Jesus Tovar

When: May 30, 8 p.m. CT

Where: Bluebell Ball Park in College Station

TV Channel: ESPN2