Texas State (21-13, SBC 4-3) carried its momentum from a strong outing against No. 1 Texas into its series opener against Marshall( 23-10, SBC 5-2) and took down the conference-leading Thundering Herd by a score of 6-1.
Junior pitcher Maddy Azua tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on three hits, striking out ten.
The Bobcats’ offense was hot all night and ended the night with 12 hits. Senior Karmyn Bass and senior Sydney Harvey each had three hits of their own.
“We just went back to work after the game on Wednesday,” Bass said. “Things were just working for us tonight.”
Texas State took the early lead in the bottom of the first. Senior outfielder Keely Williams started the ‘Cats off with a leadoff bunt and she advanced to third on a single by Bass. Aiyanna Coleman then walked after a lengthy at-bat to load the bases.
Williams scored on a single to left field by redshirt freshman outfielder Harley Vestal, and sophomore infielder Kat Zarate followed with an RBI single of her own. Junior infielder Kate Bubela brought in one more run on a fielder’s choice before the inning ended with a fly out.
The Bobcats carried their momentum into the second inning when Harvey singled and scored on a double by Bass. Bass then scored on a double by Vestal, extending the Bobcats’ lead to 5-0.
The score remained unchanged until the fifth inning when the Thundering Herd scored their first run. Sophomore outfielder Diamond Leslie hit a leadoff single and scored on a sac bunt by senior infielder Paige Simpson.
The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single from Coleman, making the score 6-1.
Azua got her ninth and tenth strikeout and retired the Thundering Herd in order to end the game.
The Bobcats will take on the Thundering Herd again at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Bobcat Softball Stadium. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
