COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas State softball team (14-7) closed out the Texas A&M Invitational with a loss on Sunday morning. The defeat against Utah (9-7) drops Texas State's weekend record to 2-3.
Texas State's offense struggled mightily against the Utes. Through the first five innings of the contest the Bobcats mustered just one hit, a single from
Tara Oltmann in the top of the second inning. Finally, in the sixth inning the Cats showed some signs of life.
Haleigh Davis led off the inning with a sharply hit single.
Brianna Sannem drew a one-out walk.
Hailey MacKay reached on an infield single to load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, Texas State could not capitalize, leaving the bases loaded in the top of the six.
Utah scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the third inning. The Utes started the frame with a double to right field and a bunt to move the runner over. The next batter hit a bunt single to score the runner from third.
Freshman
McKenna Fryar started in the circle for the Bobcats, but lasted just 2.1 innings. She allowed three hits and the only Utah run of the game. She was lifted for
Randi Rupp in the bottom of the third after yielding three hits in the frame. Rupp pitched the rest of the game for Texas State, going 3.2 innings of one-hit softball while striking out five Utah batters. Neither pitcher issued a walk in the game.
The Bobcats will return to the diamond on Wednesday to duel with Houston Baptist. For the first time since the opening week of the season, the Cats will play in the friendly confines of Bobcat Softball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. against the Huskies. The home stand will be short lived as Texas State will open up conference play with a double-header against Georgia State in Atlanta on Saturday. Game one will begin at 1 p.m. and will be immediately followed by game two. The final game of the three-game set with the Panthers is slated for a noon start on Sunday.
For all things Texas State softball, be sure to follow the team on
Facebook,
Instagram and
Twitter.