June 11, 2010

2010 was head coach Ricci Woodard's tenth season with the Texas State softball team, as they looked to claim their third consecutive Southland Conference title in 2010. Returning for the Bobcats were three All-SLC picks, including the 2009 SLC Freshman and Pitcher of the Year in Chandler Hall.

The Bobcats opened the 2010 season by hosting the CenturyLink Classic at Bobcat Field. Texas State captured its first win of the season with a 3-0 win over Northern Illinois. Unfortunately, it would be the only win opening weekend, as the Bobcats finished the tournament 1-4.

Next, Texas State traveled to the Arizona State tournament, coming away with a 6-1 win over Rutgers. It would be the only win for Texas State in Arizona, as it dropped the other three games that weekend.

After a 2-7 start, tournament play was not looking so well for Texas State to begin the season. Next on the schedule was the Tulsa tournament. The Bobcats beat UMKC 4-2, but lost the next three games; two of them in extra innings.

With their heads held high, Texas State returned home to begin conference play versus UT Arlington. The Lady Mavericks beat the Bobcats 3-1 in the first game; however Texas State captured the next two to earn its first back-to-back victories all season.

The pair of wins over UTA charged the Bobcats, who continued on to a six-game win streak, including a series sweep over Sam Houston State and a 4-3 extra inning win over No. 22 Baylor at home.

Texas State hit the road to McNeese State where it captured the series, then returned home to take two of three from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Having won 10 of its last 12 games, the Bobcats were set to host I-35 rival Texas in a midweek showdown. Despite rainy weather, Texas State beat the Longhorns at home in a stellar 9-7 victory, after a walk-off homer by senior outfielder Leah Boatright.

Hammond, La. was the next stop for Texas State. The Bobcats swept Southeastern Louisiana on the road, with Hall earning all three wins in the circle and allowed just two earned runs all weekend.

Spectacular play by both Boatright and Hall earned the duo Southland Conference weekly honors for their domination in the wins over Texas and Southeastern La.

Riding a four-game win streak, Texas State was set to play Texas in Longhorn territory on March 24. UT had revenge on its mind from the previous week's loss, as they came away with an 8-0 shutout against the Bobcats.

The Bobcats rebounded with a series victory over Central Arkansas in Conway, and then came away with a couple of wins over Nicholls. The Colonels beat Texas State in the final game, which led to a five-game skid for the Bobcats.

A pair of losses to North Texas, followed by a home defeat by Houston, led to the Bobcats first conference series loss when UTSA won two out of three against Texas State in San Antonio.

Northwestern State visited San Marcos for the Bobcats last home series. The Lady Demons beat Texas State 1-0 to earn its first victory over the club since 2002.

The Bobcats headed for Nacogdoches, Texas to play Stephen F. Austin for the SLC crown. Texas State needed to win one game to earn a share of the title and two to win it outright.

Texas State dropped its last series of the season to the Ladyjacks on the road, giving SFA the top seed in the conference tournament, and the Bobcats the No. 2 seed. The Bobcats earned their third consecutive Southland Conference title and fifth overall, finishing the regular season with an SLC record of 20-10 to become co-champions with Stephen F. Austin.

Just like in 2009, fans saw Texas State vs. McNeese State in the SLC Championship game. The difference this year was that the Cowgirls were in the winning bracket, while the Bobcats were in the losing bracket. The Bobcats would need to beat the Cowgirls twice in the championship round to earn the NCAA automatic bid and another tournament title. McNeese State made a late surge against Texas State and beat the Bobcats 3-2 to end their season. Texas State finished 2010 with a 27-26 overall record.

2010 Season Accolades

- All-Southland Conference: Chandler Hall, Leah Boatright and Jenna Emery

-SLC All-Tournament: Chandler Hall, McKenzie Baack, Jenna Emery and Anna Hernandez

- NFCA All-Central Region: Chandler Hall and Leah Boatright

-CoSIDA All-District VI Second Team: Leah Boatright