Needing to rebound after a late loss Thursday night, The Texas State Bobcats (15-8) swept their doubleheader matchup against Tarleton State (16-9) and No.15 Texas A&M (17-9).
The Bobcats redeemed their loss to Tarleton State with an 8-2 drubbing along with delivering the highlight of the night: a 3-1 upset against the Aggies Friday evening at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
“We talked about [it] before this game, but if anything’s gonna happen, they have to believe it’s gonna happen,” Texas State head coach Ricci Woodard said. “I had a whole team in that dugout that believed we could win [the A&M] game.”
Game 1: TXST 8, Tarleton State 2
The Bobcats and Texans were locked in a pitcher’s duel for the first few innings, with junior pitcher Maddison Azua recording four strikeouts in the first three innings for the Bobcats. The deadlock broke in the fourth inning when Tarleton State’s Jaelynn Duke hit a two-run home run to give the Texans a 2-0 lead.
The Bobcats began to rally in the bottom of the sixth with a walk to senior catcher Karmyn Bass and a single by senior first basemen Aiyana Coleman, setting up an opportunity for freshman outfielder Harley Vestal to chip into the deficit. She did just that, singling a hit to left and bringing in Bass.
Freshman utility Chesney Davis then singled in two runs to give the Bobcats a 3-2 lead, getting her get back from the grand slam she gave up yesterday that put the Texans ultimately in front.
“Davis is a competitor,” Woodard said. “She texted me last night, ‘I’ll be ready again tomorrow if you need me.’ You know, that’s just the type of kid she is.”
Just seconds after the lead change, senior infielder Sami Hood scored on a double;e steal, taking home plate after Davis stole second. Williams then added another run thanks to her RBI single to further extend the advantage for Texas State.
Junior infielder Kate Bubela then officially broke the game wide open with a three-run home run, her fifth homer of the season. Just like that, the Bobcats had an 8-2 lead after being blanked out for the majority of the game.
Azua wrapped up the game in the top of the seventh, finishing the ballgame with her 11th strikeout.
Game 2: TXST 3, TAMU 1
Coming off a no-hitter against St. Francis on March 4, Senior pitcher Emma Strood took the circle for the Bobcats in the second game of the doubleheader.
Just like the first game of the day, there was little action in the first few innings, and it was the away side that struck first thanks to a home run from senior second basemen Tallen Edwards.
The Bobcats answered relatively quickly, with sophomore Harley Vestal bringing in two runs in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double into the right-field gap to take the lead.
Texas State opened up its half of the fifth with a leadoff double from senior Sami Hood. She advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring. Later in the inning, the bases were loaded with two outs for senior Aiyana Coleman, one of the best hitters in the nation so far, However, she struck out, keeping Texas A&M in the game.
In the sixth inning, the Bobcats brought in junior Maddy Azua to pitch, ending Strood’s night. Through five innings, Strood was rock solid, only giving up two hits, one being the home run.
Azua worked herself into a bit of a pickle, allowing two runners to enter scoring position with only one out, but she was able to get one of those runners out in a rundown. Then, she struck out Paislie Allen to end the inning before showing some emotion, with the Bobcats three outs away from securing the upset.
“I did not calm myself down,” Azua said. “My teammates helped calm me down and get me in the right headspace, because they know exactly what to say to me.”
Azua returned for the seventh inning and slammed the door on the Aggies, finishing off the upset victory.
Texas State will return to action 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at home against the Sam Houston Bearkats. It will be available to stream on ESPN+.
