Despite a feeling of Déjà vu from the last time these two squads met, an explosive sixth inning propelled the No. 3 seeded Texas State Bobcats to a 5-2 victory over the No. 6 seeded James Madison Dukes in Thursday’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament Quarterfinal at Yvette Girouard Field in Lafayette, La.
Just when it started to seem like it was going to be a repeat of last year’s matchup against the Dukes (27-24, SBC 13-11), the bats woke up late for Texas State (37-18, SBC 16-8). A couple of timely hits followed by junior infielder Kate Bubela’s clutch three-run shot put the Bobcats on top in the sixth inning.
Starting in the circle for the ‘Cats was junior pitcher Maddy Azua. She pitched four innings and struck out four, allowing two runs on five hits.
James Madison loaded the bases in the first inning on a leadoff single and a couple of walks, but Azua struck out the next two batters to end the half inning.
The very next inning the Dukes were able to get on the board with a solo home-run from freshman infielder Emma Jo Evans. The Bobcats threatened to respond with a run of their own in their at bat, but left two runners stranded instead.
An RBI single from James Madison extended their lead to 2-0. Senior first basemen Aiyana Coleman was walked for the 62nd time this season in the bottom of the fourth, making her the new SBC single season walk record holder. The Bobcats were unable to manufacture any runs despite the opportunity.
Senior pitcher Emma Strood came in as relief in the fifth inning and only allowed one hit in her three innings pitched. She ultimately got the win making her record 8-5.
Texas State’s comeback started in the sixth with a leadoff double from senior outfielder Keely Williams, who scored on a single by senior infielder Sami Hood. The game was then tied on a RBI groundout by redshirt freshman outfielder Harley Vestal before Bubela came up and cleared the bases, giving Texas State a go-ahead 5-2 lead.
Strood retired the Dukes in order in the seventh to close out the game, solidifying the Bobcat’s redemption from the 2025 tournament and sending them to the SBC Semifinals.
Texas State is set to play against the No.10-seeded Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, of which the Bobcats swept the Chanticleers in their final SBC home series. Coastal Carolina will get their opportunity for revenge after a roll of upsets, including No. 7 Georgia Southern and most recently, No. 2 Marshall.
The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 8 and will be available to stream on ESPN+.
