AUBURN, Ala. – The Texas State softball team hung with the No. 16 Auburn Tigers through four and a half innings before Auburn rallied to score one in the fifth and three in the sixth to defeat the visiting Bobcats by a score of 6-2 Thursday evening. The Bobcats fall to 9-8 overall.
 
Freshman Sara Rupp recorded the lone scoring hit for the Bobcats with a two-run shot in the top of the fifth inning. Rupp's home run scored Kendall Wiley who made her way to the base paths after getting hit by a pitch.
 
The Bobcats went two scoreless innings against the Tigers before Auburn made their mark on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. The Tigers put together a pair of singles along with the help of a pass ball and wild pitch to score the first run of the game. Auburn's second run came on a sacrifice fly to left field.
 
Rupp's home run in the fifth inning tied up the ball game at two runs apiece. It was her second home run of the season.
 
Auburn then answered with one in the bottom half of the fifth on a solo shot to center field to take a 3-2 lead over the Bobcats.
 
The Tigers proceeded to tack on three more in the sixth to secure their lead over the Bobcats.
 
Ariel Ortiz recorded the only other Bobcat hit of the contest and Courtney Harris and Wiley each chalked up a walk for the Bobcats.
 
Randi Rupp was handed her fifth loss of the season after she put in 5.2 innings of work. She struck out seven batters while allowing five hits.
 
Texas State will continue play tomorrow afternoon, starting with a contest at 12:15 p.m. against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. The Bobcats will conclude play for the day with a 7:15 p.m. start against Samford. Live stats will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.