SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team (2-2) split a pair of Bobcat Classic games early on Saturday at Bobcat Softball Stadium. In the first matchup of the double-header, TXST won in dramatic fashion over Sam Houston State (0-3) by a score of 3-2. The Bobcats were then beaten soundly by no. 9 Florida State (3-0) in the second game by a score of 8-0.

The win over Sam Houston State gave head coach Ricci Woodard career win no. 600 as the coach of Texas State.

GAME 1
TEXAS STATE 3, SAM HOUSTON STATE 2

The Bobcats, playing as the visitors, struck first against the Bearkats. Bailee Carter opened the second inning with a double to the left field gap. Tara Oltmann successfully moved Carter to third with a sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. The next batter, Kennedy Cline, looped a sacrifice flair into right field which scored Carter tagging up from third.

The Bearkats found its offensive rhythm in the fifth inning, drawing a leadoff walk. The second batter reached via a throwing error to give SHSU runners on first and second with no outs. A sacrifice bunt moved both base runners up a base. Sheridan Fisher, the Bearkat leadoff hitter, stepped up and deliverd a single down the down the third baseline, scoring both Bearkats on base.

After going down in order in the sixth, the Bobcats were down to their final three out of the ballgame and in need of at least one run to extend the game. Once again, Carter led off the inning with a hit, a single into right field. Oltmann laid down another sacrifice bunt, moving Carter to second. Carter was called out after SHSU's shortstop fielded a grounder off the bat of Cline and tossed it over to third, beating Carter to the bag. The next batter, Christiana McDowell roped a single to right field and advanced Cline to second base. Cline was lifted for Jaclyn Molenaar on the base paths. Kourtney Pock delivered the games decisive run, a double to left center. The hit plated both Molenaar and McDowell, giving the Bobcats a 3-2 lead.

For the third time in as many games, Randi Rupp went the distance, pitching all seven innings. The senior allowed five hits, conceded just one walk, allowed one earned run and one unearned run. She faced 29 batters in the contest, sitting eight of them down via the strike out. She improved her season record to 2-1 following the win.

Texas State recorded a season-high eight hits in the contest. Carter, McDowell and Pock all collected a pair of hits. Ariel Ortiz and Hailey MacKay each notched one hit for the Bobcats.

GAME2
FLORIDA STATE 8, TEXAS STATE 0

For the first time in the 2018 campaign, Randi Rupp did not get the nod as the starting pitcher for the Bobcats. Junior pitcher Krista Jacobs made her season debut, but lasted just 2.2 innings. Jacobs gave up five earned runs on eight hits. She gave way to freshman Meagan King, who allowed three runs in 3.0 innings in her Bobcat pitching debut.

The offense struggled while facing Florida State's ace, who allowed just four baserunners in six innings of work. Carter, making her second start of the season, collected the lone Texas State hit, a single to left in the first inning. She also reached on an error in the fourth inning.

The Bobcats will close out the Bobcat Classic tomorrow morning with a contest with Portland State. The Vikings are the lone remaining team that Texas State has not faced in the Bobcat Classic. First pitch is slated for a 10 a.m. start time. The Classic will end with a neutral site game featuring Florida State and Sam Houston State.

For all things Texas State softball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.