In their first away game in over a month, the Texas State Bobcats (19-8, SBC 2-1) took down the Houston Cougars (17-13, Big 12 1-5) by a score of 12-8.
Tuesday evening was an offensive battle with both teams contributing to a total of seven home runs. The Bobcats were responsible for four of the seven.
The Texas State lineup was hot from top to bottom. Senior Karmyn Bass went 3-3 and drove two runs in with one single. Redshirt freshman Harley Vestal and senior Aiyanna Coleman each brought in three runs with their at-bats.
Junior pitcher Madison Azua started in the circle, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing ten hits and 6 runs.
The Cougars took a two-run lead early on with an opposite-field two-run home run from junior infielder Makenna Mitchell.
Texas State bounced back quickly with an eight-run second inning. The Bobcats started the inning with their very own two-run home run from junior Kate Bubela, followed by a one RBI single from senior outfielder Keely Williams that gave the ‘Cats the lead.
Bases were loaded for sophomore catcher Karmyn Bass after senior outfielder Sydney Harvey walked and a well-hit ball up the middle scored two more runs for the Bobcats.
With two runners on, Vestal sent a three-run shot to left field to extend Texas State’s lead to five.
Neither team scored in the third, but Houston started to close the gap in the fourth. With two outs and bases loaded, the Big 12 conference’s home run leader, Maddie Hartley, sent a ball deep to center field to make the score 8-6.
The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning when the ‘Cats added four more runs. Williams started the inning off with a solo shot. Harvey singled and Bass walked to bring up Coleman.
With the opportunity to finally hit after being walked ten times the weekend prior, Coleman sent the ball into the trees behind the stadium.
Texas State went into the bottom of the seventh up by six. Chesney Davis started the inning and retired the first batter, but after allowing two runs, Azua returned to the circle. Azua ended the game with her fifth strikeout of the evening.
Texas State softball will travel to Lamar University to take on the Cardinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
