SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team suffered a 6-1 setback in its first game of the 2016 conference season Saturday afternoon to Georgia Southern. The Bobcats fall to 17-6 overall and 0-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.
 
Georgia Southern put its mark on the board early in the contest after a two-run home run to right center by Hannah Farrell in the first.
 
A rocket single off the ankle of the Eagle third baseman by Ariel Ortiz in the bottom of the first set up runners on first and second with one out. A wild pitch moved Braegan Hamilton to third and Ortiz to second, but a double play fly ball by Kendall Wiley to left field where Hamilton was thrown out trying to score put a stop to the Bobcat rally in the first.
 
Corrina Liscano recorded her first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth, a single to centerfield, but back-to-back outs for Georgia Southern with runners on first and second kept the 'Cats from cutting into the Eagle lead.
 
Three scoreless innings passed before Georgia Southern capitalized once again. In the top of the fifth, three straight hits by the Eagles made it a 3-0 ball game. Georgia Southern scored one more after a fielder's choice play at home was called safe for the Eagles.
 
Georgia Southern scored two more runs in the sixth, both with two outs.
 
In the bottom half of the seventh, Liscano launched the first pitch she saw over the fences in left to make it a 6-1 game. Three straight outs after the Liscano home run ended the Bobcats hopes of a late inning rally.
 
Liscano led the team with two hits including her team-leading fifth home run of the season. Randi Rupp was handed her fourth loss of the season after pitching in all seven innings for the 'Cats. She struck out 11 batters while walking just one. She is now 11-4 this season.
 
Texas State will take to the field tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against Georgia Southern. First pitch at the Bobcat Softball Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m. Live stats, live audio, and live video will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.