Softball | 11/4/2017 3:00:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Texas State softball team earned a pair of victories at the UTSA Round Robin on Saturday, November 4 in San Antonio, Texas.
In the first game of the morning, the Bobcats took down the Roadrunners of UTSA by a final score of 5-4. Jaclyn Molenaar started the action with a single in the top of the first inning and was followed by a rocket off the bat of Mari Cranek. She singled off the glove of the third baseman, however both runners were stranded.
UTSA was able to take advantage of their first inning traffic on the bases. The Roadrunners were able to reach via a bunt single early in the frame. The single was followed by a two-run blast, giving UTSA a 2-0 lead after one.
The second inning saw Texas State hang a crooked numbed on the score board. Kourtney Pock started the inning with a leadoff single to right center field. ArieAnn Bell was next in line, roping a single to left. Christiana McDowell laid down a bunt single, loading the bases for Kylie Matula, who knocked in the first Bobcat run of the day with a bloop shot to right field. Molenaar, swinging a hot bat, single up the middle to score a pair, giving TXST a 3-2 lead.
However, the lead was short lived. In the bottom of the third, UTSA regained the advantage after a pair of singles were followed by an RBI double. UTSA held a 4-3 lead heading into the fifth frame.
In the top of the next frame the Bobcats answered right back. Both Bell and McDowell drew walks that set the table for Matula. Bri Sannem was inserted as a pinch runner for Bell, giving TXST a little more speed on the base paths. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Matula drove in Sannem on an RBI groundout. Once again, Molenaar provided a pivotal at-bat for the Bobcats, reaching on an infield single that scored McDowell. The Bobcats regained the lead, 5-4.
The one run cushion was all Randi Rupp needed. The senior ace was called upon in relief for the final four outs of the contest. She delivered four frames of perfect softball, not allowing a base runner and striking out five.
Game two was a defensive battle with Texas State coming out on top, 2-1 over Texas A&M Kingsville. The pitching staff was superb in the second game, allowing nine hits but limiting the damage.
McKenna Fryar was the first Bobcat in the circle, and she went two innings without allowing a run and striking out a pair of batters. Krista Jacobs was called into action to start the third frame. She allowed four hits and an unearned run while recording one strikeout. Meagan King came in for the final six outs. She faced eight batters, allowing two hits but she was able to close out the game.
Texas State found home plate in the second inning after loading the bases with walks drawn by Taylor Webb and Hailey MacKay and a single by Haleigh Davis. Bailee Carter delivered on an RBI line out to center.
Kourtney Pock provided the next threat for TXST in the sixth inning after reaching second on an error by the right fielder. Pock advanced to third following a fly out, which was deep enough to move her over. ArieAnn Bell came through in the clutch, delivering the game winning RBI single up the middle.
Texas State will have one game remaining in the fall schedule. The Bobcats will host McLennan Community College on Nov. 7 with a scheduled start time of 6 p.m. at Bobcat Softball Stadium. Admission for the game will be free.
