By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

SAN MARCOS — A new season begins Friday for Texas State, and with it comes familiar expectations and fresh opportunity.

The Bobcats open the season on Friday with the first of a three-game home series against Niagara at Bobcat Ballpark. Texas State is opening its season at home for the 16th consecutive year and has won its last six home openers, including sweeps in each of the past three opening weekend series.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a 2:30 p.m. start Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale Sunday. Friday’s and Sunday’s games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Texas State enters the season looking to build momentum after back-to-back 27-win seasons. The Bobcats were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll and feature a roster with significant turnover, including 22 newcomers and an overhauled pitching staff.

Senior third baseman Chase Mora anchors the lineup after earning preseason All-Sun Belt honors. Mora enters the season with 31 career home runs and 150 RBI, both among the top totals in program history, and sits within striking distance of Paul Goldschmidt’s school records in both categories.

Texas State will turn to a mix of newcomers and returning arms in the opening series.

Graduate transfer Kyle Froehlich, a Division II All-American at UT Tyler, is slated to start Friday. Freshman left-hander Nolan Moore is scheduled for Saturday and would become the first Bobcat freshman to start on opening weekend at home since 2017. Left-hander Jesus Tovar, who recorded 58 strikeouts in 66.2 innings last season, is set to start Sunday.

The Bobcats’ pitching staff is expected to play a pivotal role in the early part of the season. Texas State struck out 515 batters in 2025, the third-highest total in program history, and returns eight pitchers while adding 11 newcomers to reshape the rotation and bullpen.

Niagara arrives after posting a 19-28 record last season and finishing eighth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Purple Eagles are led offensively by Curtis McKay, who hit .314 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI, and Jason Green, who led the team with 13 home runs.

The Bobcats have made a habit of fast starts in recent years, sweeping their opening weekend opponent each of the past three seasons. Another strong showing this weekend would set the tone for a program entering its final season in the Sun Belt Conference before transitioning to the Pac-12 in 2027.

Series information

All games played at Bobcat Ballpark, San Marcos

G1: 6:30 p.m., Friday – Texas State: RHP Kyle Froehlich. Niagra: RHP Carter Fink

G2: 2:30 p.m., Saturday – Texas State: LHP Nolan Moore vs. Niagra: RHP Nate Bennett

G3: 1 p.m., Sunday – Teaxs State: LHP Jesus Tovar vs. Niagra: RHP Gage Wheaton