With a chance to secure their first series win over Louisiana, the Texas State Bobcats (20-12, 3-3 SBC) ultimately fell short in a 6-1 loss to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (19-13, 3-3 SBC) Sunday afternoon at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park in Lafayette, LA.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were powered by a strong performance by junior pitcher Sage Hoover, who started in the circle for all seven innings and allowed one run.
Junior pitcher Madison Azua started in the circle for the Bobcats, but only tossed three innings before being pulled.
After a scoreless first inning from both teams that featured just two total hits, junior utility player Kat Zarate put the Bobcats on the board with a solo home run to center field to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead entering the third.
Following a quiet offensive frame for the Bobcats at the top of the third inning, the Ragin’ Cajuns capitalized on a defensive error to start the scoring with an RBI bunt, tying the game at one apiece. The Ragin’ Cajuns took control from there, as freshman outfielder Lily Knox delivered a three-run home run, sailing across center field to give the Ragin’ Cajuns a 4-1 lead. Freshman catcher Miki Watts followed with an RBI single to bring the score to 5-1.
Following the scoring run, freshman pitcher Kaili Witherell came in for Azua to close out the inning.
Witherell was able to stop the bleeding for the Bobcats in the fourth inning, only allowing one hit, but the Bobcat bats were unable to capitalize, failing to record a hit in the inning.
The fifth inning was more of the same for Texas State’s offense, with the bats ice cold, getting just two hits and zero runs. Following two singles to start the inning for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Witherell was pulled for senior pitcher Emma Strood.
The Ragin’ Cajuns added to the lead after junior infielder Mia Liscano hit an RBI single to make it 6-1 going into the sixth.
Despite the Bobcats’ best efforts for a late-game rally in the top of the seventh, Texas State was unable to capitalize after putting runners on both second and third, leaving both runners stranded.
The Bobcats will look to bounce back at home against the defending national champion Texas Longhorns at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Bobcat Softball Stadium. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
