Texas State softball began their first three game set of the season against Southeastern Louisiana University. The Bobcats dropped game one of the day 4-0, but rebounded to win the second game of the doubleheader, 1-0 on the back of an Aiyana Coleman home run.
Game 1: SELA 4, TXST 0
In a sloppy game defensively, the Texas State Bobcats (10-7) dropped the first game of their doubleheader against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions (14-5) 4-0 at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
SLU’s graduate pitcher Cera Blanchard was lights out, giving up no runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. While the Bobcats were able to get on base numerous times and occasionally threatened, nothing seemed to work offensively.
Combined with an offense that couldn’t score runs, Texas State’s defense was subpar, committing two errors on the day while the Lions were clean defensively.
It was also an uncharacteristically rough outing for junior pitcher Madison Azua, who gave up four runs in seven innings of work.
The Lions started the scoring via junior infielder Brilee Ford’s first home run of the year, followed by senior infielder Maria Detillier hitting another home run with a runner on base to extend the lead to 3-0.
Senior catcher Megan Kelnar opened the bottom portion of the second inning with a triple that bounced off the left-center field wall, but the Bobcats were unable to bring her home.
Texas State’s biggest chance to strike occurred in the bottom of the sixth as two Bobcats got on with a chance to tie the game with senior first basemen Aiyana Coleman; however, they would ultimately go down quietly.
Game: SELA: 0, TXST 4
Senior Emma Strood started in the circle for the Bobcats in game two of the doubleheader. Strood tossed five shutout innings, striking out two and scattering six hits before her day was over.
Texas State started the scoring off in game two in the home half of the first inning. Senior first baseman Aiyana Coleman left the yard for her fifth home run of the season, this one being the solo variety, plating the first run of the ballgame.
As it would turn out, Coleman’s homer was the only run scored all night by either side. The Bobcats put runners on, on multiple occasions afterwards, but were unable to capitalize at any point.
Freshman Chesney took over in the circle when Strood departed from the game in the sixth inning. Davis held SELA at bay, preserving the 1-0 lead through the game’s final two innings, giving the Bobcats game two on the day.
Texas State will go for a series win in the third and final game against SELA with first pitch slated for 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Bobcat Softball Stadium. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
