SAN ANTONIO – The No. 23 Texas State softball team (32-10, 12-2 SBC) scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to top Incarnate Word (12-25, 5-13 SLC) by a score of 5-2 at Cardinals Field on Wednesday evening.

Kennedy Cline led off the top of the third inning with a sharply hit double down the left field line. Mari Cranek successfully advanced Cline to third base on a sacrifice bunt towards third. Christiana McDowell, batting in the second spot in the Bobcat lineup, looped a sacrifice fly into right field to easily score Cline tagging from third base.

Texas State tacked on another run in the top of the fourth inning to double its lead. Tara Oltmann roped a triple off of the right field wall with one out in the frame. Bailee Carter, the next batter in the order, beat out an infield single, scoring Oltmann from third base.

The Cardinals strung together two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning, the first two UIW hits of the contest. Angel Villanueva reached on an infield single to shortstop with one out in the frame. Monica Flores ripped a line drive down into right field, after a misplay in right both Villanueva and Flores came around to score. Flores was credited with an inside-the-park home run.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Bobcats erupted for three runs on two hits. Ariel Ortiz started the inning with an infield single to her counterpart at shortstop. On the first pitch of Oltmann's at-bat, Ortiz swiped second base. With a runner in scoring position, Oltmann laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a throwing error. Ortiz scored on the play. Bailee Carter stepped to the plate and drove a towering blast to center, her second home run of the season.

Randi Rupp was given the ball to start the game for the Bobcats with the intent of working on a mechanical tweak implemented earlier in the week. Rupp worked six innings of two-hit softball. The senior earned win No. 20 on the season while striking out nine Cardinal batters and allowing two runs. Meagan King came into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and earned her first career save after striking out the side.

Next up, Texas State will host the ULM Warhawks on Saturday and Sunday in a Sun Belt Conference weekend series. Game one on Saturday will begin at 1 p.m. and will be immediately followed by game two of the doubleheader. The series will wrap up with a noon contest on Sunday. The Bobcats will then host UTSA in a make-up game on Tuesday at Bobcat Softball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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

Senior pitcher Randi Rupp was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award on April 5, 2018. She was selected as one of 10 finalists who were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced earlier this month. Nationwide fan voting has begun to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through May 14. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS Award recipient for softball will be announced during the 2018 NCAA Women's College World Series® in Oklahoma City, May 31 through June 6.