AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas State softball team (22-8, 5-0 SBC) struggled to generate any offense in a 3-0 loss against the Texas Longhorns (13-13, 0-0 Big12) at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Wednesday night. The loss halts TXST's eight game win streak.

"Today was the first time this season that I felt like I brought in a young team," head coach Ricci Woodard said. "This should be a good learning experience for us, but we have to learn from it."

Texas struck first in the bottom of the third inning. With one away in the home half of the frame, Ki'Audra Hayter reached on an error by Texas State at third. Hayter advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before coming around to score on a sharply hit single up the middle from Paige von Sprecken. She advanced to third on the play via another Bobcat error, but was stranded at third.

The Longhorns put two more unearned runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kaitlyn Washington reached first on an error with two outs in the inning and advanced to second base on a walk from Mallory Schlatte. Both runners came around to score on a double to right center from Kaitlyn Slack to extend UT's lead to 3-0.

On the offensive end, Texas State's best threat came in the top of the fifth inning. Ariel Ortiz walked to lead off the inning, extending her on-base streak to nine straight contests. Tara Oltmann singled up the middle to advance Ortiz and move her on-base streak of eight straight games. Bailee Carter moved Ortiz over on a fielder's choice hit to second base. Haleigh Davis took a big hack, resulting in a swinging bunt back to the pitcher. von Sprecken tossed the ball to the catcher who narrowly tagged Ortiz before she could slide safely into home. Ultimately, Texas State left the bases loaded with a strikeout to end the threat.

Senior pitcher Randi Rupp went the distance for the Bobcats, pitching six innings of five-hit softball. She allowed three runs, all unearned, and issued one walk. The NCAA strikeout leader added five more punch outs to her season total.

Next up, Texas State will link up with Appalachian State in a conference road trip. The opening game of the series from Boone, N.C. will take place on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The series will continue with a double-header on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for noon.

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