April 5, 2006

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - In a non-conference doubleheader at Bobcat Field on Wednesday afternoon, Texas State fell in the opening game 9-8 after giving up three runs in the seventh, but rebounded to take game two 5-4 thanks in part to a four-run fourth inning.

In the first game of the twinbill, the two teams combined for 17 runs on 18 hits, including six home runs in the first three innings in a game that had three lead changes.

Texas State (25-13, 11-1 SLC) jumped on the scoreboard first platting two runs in the first inning as Kristin Gunter and Hromadka used a well executed hit-and-run to take the 1-0 lead. Alex Newton then followed with an RBI-single that scored Gunter to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars (26-16) responded with two home runs in the second. Christa Raley took the first pitch of the frame over the left field fence. After Laurie Wagner drew a walk, Jamie Adams dialed long distance to give Houston a 3-2 advantage.

Houston tacked on a pair of runs in the third inning as Jessica Valis opened the frame with an infield single. She moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Bush and came around to score when Elaina Nordstrom cranked a two-run homer making it 5-2.

The Bobcats turned an early 5-2 deficit into an 8-5 lead in the third inning using a trio of long balls. Amy Hromadka drew Texas State within 5-4 with a two-run shot chasing Houston starter Candi Kloecker from the game.

Reigning Southland Conference Hitter of the Week Kristin Gunter tied the score at 5-5 ripping a solo homer off reliever Crystal Briscoe, while Ashton Peters put the Bobcats ahead 8-5 with a three-run blast.

Barbie Love entered the game for Houston and shut down the Bobcats firing a season-best five innings of scoreless relief being touched for only three hits and recording three strikeouts.

Houston delivered the last blow in the top of the seventh. With the lead down to 8-6 after the Cougars got a sacrifice fly from Wagner in the sixth, they would rally to score three runs in the final inning to send the Bobcats to their first home loss of the season.

After Jaci Gonzalez reached on an error, back-to-back singles from Jessica Valis and Bush would load the bases for the Cougars with no outs.

Freshman Elaina Nordstrom stepped into the batter's box and sent a double to the right field wall, clearing the bases for Houston and preserving the come-from-behind win.

In the second game of the doubleheader, a four-run fourth inning propelled Texas State past the University of Houston softball team, 5-4.

Newton broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer to left field that pushed the Bobcats ahead.

Texas State would then load the bases with a trio of singles and stretch its advantage to 4-1 on a sacrifice fly by Amy Krueger. The Bobcats concluded the frame by capitalizing on a Jessica Valis' fielding error making it 5-1.

Houston sliced the deficit down to 5-2 in the fifth inning when Haley Valis clocked a solo home run to left-centerfield.

The Cougars continued to rally as Jessica Valis drew a walk and Katie Bush reached on a bunt single. The bases were loaded when Raley was hit-by-a-pitch but Laura Durham fouled out to end the threat.

The Cougars continued their climb back in the seventh inning as Elaina Nordstrom hit her second home run of the day, a two-run shot to centerfield, to draw the Cougars within 5-4. Houston's rally ran out of steam as Raley and Durham were retired on fly balls to end the game.

Sarah Lancour (11-6) picked up her sixth consecutive win on the year, scattering four runs while striking out five.

Peters and Newton led the way on offense for the `Cats in the doubleheader, with both players going 3-for-7 with one run scored and three RBIs.

Texas State will resume Southland Conference action this weekend, playing host to Northwestern State in a three-game series at Bobcat Field. First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader is set for a 1 p.m. start, with Sunday's series finale slated for noon.

The Bobcats will also be hosting Youth Softball Day at Saturday's doubleheader, where youth players in uniform get in free. The day will also feature .50 cent hotdogs, chances to go onto the field and autographs from the team.