March 31, 2007

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Texas State bats combined for five extra-base hits, and Ragan Blake threw her fourth shutout of the season as the Bobcats won their series opener against UTSA 4-0 on Saturday.

Alex Newton hit her first home run of the season to cap the offense, and Blake struck out 10 while allowing only four hits to the SLC-leading Roadrunners.

Texas State improved to 16-17 overall and 6-7 in conference with the win while UTSA fell to 18-21 and 12-4 in the SLC.

The `Cats got things going in the second inning when Newton took a pitch from Roadrunner starter Janeille Nickels down the left field line and over the wall for a solo blast.

A string of hits in the bottom of the third led to three more runs for the Bobcats to give Blake some insurance. Amy Krueger led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Kristina Tello. After Tello stole second, Karen Taylor ripped a double down the left field line to drive in both runners. Jetta Weinheimer also delivered an RBI single to cap the inning off Amanda Nikolenko, who had relieved Nickels.

Blake had no problems against the Roadrunner lineup, striking out four of the first five batters she faced and getting some help from the defense with a double play in the fourth.

UTSA did threaten in the seventh, loading the bases, but Blake struck out Rudi Cantu to seal the win. It was the fourth shutout of the season for Blake, who improved to 12-8.

Nickels dropped to 9-9 with the loss. She allowed four runs, all earned, on five hits and a walk in two innings.

The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. to close out the series. Live stats for both games will be available via CSTV's Gametracker on txstatebobcats.com.