The Texas State softball team extended its winning streak to six games with a 10-3 victory over the Columbia Lions in Florida Atlantic University’s “Strike Out Cancer” Tournament at FAU Softball Stadium.
After a shaky start to the season, the Bobcats entered the matchup against the Lions, riding the momentum of a five-game win streak. With the win, Texas State was 5-0 over the weekend tournament.
Texas State sits at 11-4 as it prepares for the beginning of Sun Belt Conference play.
A walk, a hit by pitch, a stolen base and five runs were scored all in the top of the first. The Bobcats wasted no time starting what would build into a blowout.
Sierra Steimel, senior utility player, started the inning being walked, Christiana McDowell, freshman outfielder, was hit by a pitch and Hailey MacKay, sophomore infielder, walked putting the Bobcats in a loaded bases situation.
Taking advantage of the situation Tara Oltmann, freshman infielder, scored two runners after hitting a double to right field. Bailee Carter, sophomore infielder, continued to milk the situation, bringing MacKay home and advancing Oltmann to third. Carter followed up by stealing second while Oltmann stole home for the fourth run of the first inning.
With bases loaded for a second time in the first inning, Texas State scored its fifth run of the game after Meagan King, freshman infielder, was hit by a pitch, bringing home Carter for the score.
The Bobcats picked up two more runs in the top of the second, the first coming after Ariel Ortiz, senior infielder, was brought home off an Oltmann double to center.
Texas State’s second run came after Oltmann scored on a wild pitch giving the Bobcats a 7-0 lead.
Finding some life, Columbia answered the Bobcats’ seven runs with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 7-3 game.
The Bobcats sealed the win in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs and taking a 10-3 lead.
Up next for the Bobcats is a trip to San Antonio for a matchup against the University of Texas San Antonio, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m.