RUSTON, La. – The Texas State softball team ended the Louisiana Tech Invitational with a 5-0 setback against the host school Louisiana Tech Sunday afternoon. The Bobcats finished the weekend with a 4-1 record as they fall to 9-2 on the year.
 
Texas State has two more non-conference tournaments on the 2016 schedule, starting next weekend at the Grand Canyon Invitational.
 
The Bobcats started off by drawing three straight walks in the top of the first, but were unable to score as a fielder's choice retired Kelli Baker out at home for the first out and a double play ball by Kendall Wiley ended the inning.
 
A one-out single with a runner on second in the bottom of the first scored the first run of the day for Louisiana Tech. After the hit, Rupp sent the batters down in order with a pair of strikeouts.
 
The Lady Techsters added another run in the second, two in the third, and one in the fourth to build their 5-0 lead.
 
Texas State had an opportunity to score in the third after moving Baker over to second after a lead-off single. A two-out single to the outfield by Wiley for the second hit of the inning ultimately proved to lead to the final out as Baker got thrown out trying to score.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Quincy Charleston came in relief for Randi Rupp with no outs and the bases loaded. Charleston got the next three batters out in order with a pair of fielder's choices and a strikeout looking to end the inning, making that the first scoreless inning for Louisiana Tech.
 
Charleston finished the game by retiring all six batters she faced with two strikeouts.
 
Texas State ended the day registering five hits while stranding eight runners on base. Rupp was dealt her second loss of the season in 4.0 innings pitched. She tallied four strikeouts in the loss.
 
Baker led the Bobcats with a pair of hits. Kayleigh Norte, Taylor Webb, and Wiley recorded the other Bobcat hits. Texas State drew four walks in the game while striking out just three times.
 
The Bobcats will continue tournament play next weekend at the Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz. where they will compete against Northern Illinois, Montana, and Grand Canyon. First pitch against Northern Illinois on Feb. 26 is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT. Texas State will play two games Friday, two games Saturday, and one on Sunday. Live stats will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.