Texas State came into the back end of their doubleheader with Central Arkansas with the momentum from a 4-2 victory minutes earlier at the Bobcat softball complex, and proceeded to turn in an even more dominant performance with a 7-2 victory over the visiting Sugar Bears.
One could tell the players felt a bit of an extra jolt right at the beginning of the game coming out of the last win, and the Bobcats took little time in knocking UCA off balance. Starting pitcher Katie Garnett tore through the top of the 1st in record time with two strikeouts and a lineout to first, and the Bobcat offense proceeded to take no prisoners as Texas State quickly knocked in four runs. Unfortunately, a chance to further rattle the Sugar Bears’ composure was dashed as Kristina Tello was called out on what appeared to be a single on her part for batter interference. The bases would have been loaded, and given UCA starting pitcher Katie McGregor’s lack of control in her windup, it wouldn’t have been rash to assume that Texas State could have brought a few more baserunners home.
After the initial confusion brought about by the 10-minute conference the umpires had to determine the baserunner interference call, it seemed that the offenses for both teams went completely frigid for a couple of innings. Granted, UCA was having trouble getting things going throughout the day, but Texas State’s streakiness shone through as the only low points of the day as Alex Newton and McKenzie Baack continued their offensive slumps. Things got somewhat interesting in the top of the 4th as Paige Burke knocked in a run for Central Arkansas on an RBI single, but Leah Boatright seemingly took the wind out of UCA’s sails in the following set as she smacked a 3-run homer right into the Texas State bullpen to bring the score to 7-1.
Despite another desperate attempt by UCA at the top of the 5th where one run was knocked home, you could feel that the Sugar Bears were flustered and frustrated by missed opportunities. UCA left a total of 6 runners on base, and even when the game was close, one likely never felt that the game was really in doubt. Texas State’s superior athleticism and teamwork repeatedly shined through on the field, and it resulted in a sense that the Bobcats had an iron grip on the momentum throughout the entire contest despite any attempts UCA made to come back.
Texas State improves to 21-11, 13-4 SLC, and the victory also vaulted the Bobcats to the top of the Southland standings. The squad will play their last game of the UCA series as they attempt to up the series record against their conference rivals to 9-0 all time. You can listen to the game on 89.9 KTSW or txstatebobcats.com, or visit the new, shiny softball complex and cheer on the Bobcats!
Will Butler- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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