SAN MARCOS, Texas — The road to Omaha began across the country Friday and Texas State spoiled Stony Brook's curtain-raiser, defeating the Seawolves 4-3 at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
Sophomore Ben Fero was served with the loss after a sixth-inning, three-run shot gave the hosts a 4-1 advantage in the sixth.

"We competed our butts off but not enough timely hitting, a handful of at 'em balls and a costly error, and you will come up just short against a team like Texas State," head coach Matt Senk said.
 
Freshman Shane Paradine, making his collegiate debut, cut into the deficit with an RBI single and Evan Giordano added a run-scoring hit in the eighth, but the Seawolves could not complete the comeback.
 
Giordano recorded the team's lone multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
 
Senior Jared Milch got the ball to begin the 2020 campaign, going five strong innings and allowing just one unearned run on four hits in a no-decision.

"Milch gave us a terrific start tonight, which was great to see," Senk said. "We're looking forward to competing and doing the little things needed to win games tomorrow."
 
Derek Yalon also made his collegiate debut, starting in left field. He drew a walk in four plate appearances.
 
The  teams return to action Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST at the Bobcat Ballpark.