SAN ANTONIO – The Texas State softball team (12-4) used a fifth inning outburst to run away from UTSA (7-6), 7-1, on Wednesday evening at Roadrunner field in San Antonio. The game represented the team's first midweek contest of the season. The Bobcats have won seven straight contests dating back to Feb. 18, the final game of the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

"I was proud of how our offense adjusted tonight," head coach Ricci Woodard said. "We were a bit slow early, but our hitters worked through the process. Once we got a few hard ground balls, we were able to take control of the game. It was good to see us work through things on both sides of the ball."

The bats were held in check for the first four innings of the game before erupting in the top of the fifth frame. The Bobcats carded seven runs on four hits in the frame.

 Bailee Carter started the inning with a single to left field and advanced to third on a single to Haleigh Davis. Outfielder Mari Cranek singled back to the pitcher to load the bases for Jaclyn Molenaar, who reached base via an error by UTSA. Carter scored on the play to register the game's first run.

As the inning continued, Christiana McDowell reached base on a fielder's choice, scoring Cranek and Davis. Hailey MacKay walked to load the bases once again in the inning, bringing Ariel Ortiz to the plate. Ortiz promptly singled down the fight field line, scoring all three Bobcats on base before advancing to third on the throw. She was brought home on a sacrifice fly from Tara Oltmann.

Bailee Carter notched three hits, while Ariel Ortiz and Haleigh Davis each recorded multi-hit games. Ortiz led the offense with three runs batted in.

Randi Rupp turned in her ninth complete game of the season, spinning a one-run gem for the Bobcats. She threw 101 pitchers on the evening and struck out seven batters. She scattered seven UTSA hits through seven complete innings in the circle. After allowing a first-inning run, she shut down the Roadrunners for the remaining six innings.
The Bobcats will be back in action on Friday as participants in the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, Texas. TXST will play two games each against Utah and Louisiana Tech and will square off with host Texas A&M once.

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