SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team (25-8, 8-0 SBC) earned a three-game sweep over Sun Belt Conference opponent Georgia Southern (21-13, 6-6 SBC), winning the third game of the set by a score of 3-0 behind a masterful performance in the circle from Randi Rupp.

"I have said it all season long," head coach Ricci Woodard said. "This team is persistent and that showed again today. We could have easily folded up after not breaking through on the scoreboard in the first couple of innings, but this team never quits. We continued to execute the plan and the runs followed."

Rupp continued her dominance in the circle, pitching her fourth complete game shutout of the season. Of the 21 recorded outs for the Bobcats, Rupp sat down 15 Eagle batters via strikeout, matching her career-best. In 14.1 innings of work against the Eagles in the three-game set, Rupp struck out 30 batters, yielded just one run, allowed only five hits and did not issue a walk.

Offensively, the hits came early and often for the Bobcats. Texas State registered seven hits in the first three innings of the game, but remained scoreless. The Eagles received timely outs, stranding the first seven Bobcat base runners. In total, the Bobcats left 12 batters stranded, compared to just four for the Eagles.

Finally, TXST broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mari Cranek led off the inning with a triple to deep left center field. She would come around to score on an RBI groundout from Sierra Steimel. With Rupp cruising on the mound, the one run looked to be all the Bobcats would need to secure a victory.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cats added a pair of insurance runs to put the game out of reach. Christiana McDowell hit a blooper in between the left fielder and shortstop that dropped in for a double with one out. Hailey MacKay drove an RBI single into right field, scoring McDowell from second base. Kylie Matula entered the game for MacKay as a pinch runner, and the freshman promptly stole second. Matula raced home on a double to right field off of the bat of Ariel Ortiz.

Next up, Texas State will host Lamar on Wednesday evening. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Bobcat Softball Stadium. TXST will stay at home for a three game set with South Alabama on April 7-8. The double-header on April 7th has been dubbed Bella's Gold Game. Anyone in attendance for the games is encouraged to help support Bella Moser and her family as she continues to battle cancer. First pitch on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. and will be immediately followed by game two of the double-header. Game three of the season will begin at noon on Sunday.

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