Sports

Texas Baseball Rivals Make ESPN Immediately Regret TV Stream With Ugly Postgame Spat

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The Texas State baseball team took on UTSA in the latest edition of the I-35 Rivalry on Tuesday night. That matchup was broadcast live on ESPN+.

It took online bullying to make that happen. The network immediately regretted its decision thanks to an ugly postgame spat.

Coaches got into a shoving match following a blowout win. A bat flip was the cause of the reaction, which was captured on video by attendees.

UTSA coach pushed Texas State counterpart.

Roadrunners head coach Pat Hallmark pushed a Texas State staff member. He was heated despite picking up a convincing midweek win.

UTSA beat the Bobcats soundly, 19-4. They erupted for eight runs in their first at-bat. They’d build their lead to 16-1 before the fourth frame.

In the top of the fourth, Texas State freshman Blake Beheler belted his first career homer to cut the lead to 16-3. He admired that shot before rounding the bases.

His next time up, the UTSA pitching staff threw behind him. Texas State believed it was a message. The Bobcats took offense, which was voiced to Pat Hallmark after the game.

That criticism sparked a response.

“I don’t know if he was (thrown at on purpose), but we know you guys bat-flipped,” Hallmark reportedly said in the tense exchange.

Texas State’s assistant replied with, “I don’t even know who he is. You can print that. He put his hands on me. I’m going to defend myself.”

The confrontation was an ugly end to the rivalry matchup. ESPN likely regretted its decision to air the contest.

Fans bullied the network into a live broadcast.

The game was not initially set to be streamed on television. That changed after a negative online response.

Texas State and UTSA are both NCAA Tournament contenders. The Bobcats entered at 31-21 with an RPI just outside the Top 40.

The Roadrunners were 34-17 and sitting at No. 50 in the RPI standings. The game had significance.

As a result, fans begged that the game be aired on TV. Their wishes would be granted.

Five hours after making the original game announcement, the UTSA admin provided an update. The game would be available to viewers on ESPN+.

Unfortunately, the matchup largely lacked drama. It was a blowout that ended after just seven innings.

The postgame spat may or may not have appeared on the actual stream. Video that surfaced online was posted by a fan account.

Regardless, ESPN promoted the game by giving it a streaming spot. That exposure put more eyes on the contest. The network intended to highlight a great college baseball rivalry.

Instead, it was dealt an uncompetitive blowout capped by an emotional tussle.

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