SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team (9-11) will open Sun Belt Conference play against the league's elite in the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (15-3). Louisiana enters the weekend series as the No. 11 ranked team in the latest USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.

The three-game weekend set begins with a first pitch at 6 p.m. on March 8. Game two of the series will be the annual Gold Game for Texas State. The Bobcats will wear gold laces to help raise awareness for pediatric cancer. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 9. The series finale will begin at 12:30 p.m. on March 10.

GAME INFORMATION – FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. CST | Bobcat Softball Stadium
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WATCH: txstatebobcats.com/watch/

GAME INFORMATION – SATURDAY
2:00 p.m. CST | Bobcat Softball Stadium
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WATCH: txstatebobcats.com/watch/

GAME INFORMATION – SUNDAY
12:30 p.m. CST | Bobcat Softball Stadium
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WATCH: txstatebobcats.com/watch/

ABOUT TEXAS STATE
Texas State limps into the Louisiana series following a tough nine-game stretch in which the team suffered six setbacks. TXST scored three runs or fewer in five of the six losses, including a 4-1 loss to Baylor on March 6. The Bobcats left the bases loaded to end the game against the Bears.

Overall, the Texas State offense is scoring 5.2 runs per ballgame, however over the last nine contests, the number drops to 2.0 runs per outing. The Cats have failed to plate multiple runs five of the last nine games and are being outscored by 2.9 runs per contest during that stretch.  

Junior catcher Haleigh Davis and junior infielder Hailey MacKay have combined the hit .318 through the first 20 contests of the season with five home runs and five doubles. MacKay has delivered a team-best 17 RBI, while Davis has collected 11 runs batted in. The two preseason all-league selections have totaled 15 runs scored this season.

Sophomore pitcher Meagan King (4-7) has been up and down during the 2019 season. He has made appearances in 12 games, including eight starts and carries an earned run average of 4.28. King has yielded extra base knocks on 29.8 percent of opposing hits. She has struck out 29 batters and has issued 11 free passes in the circle.

ABOUT LOUISIANA
The Cajuns boast the most prolific offense in the Sun Belt. LA leads the conference and ranks sixth nationally with a team batting average of .358 and are seventh nationally in on-base percentage at .451. The traffic on the bases, along with the high number of stolen bases, leads to 8.17 runs per contest. The run output ranks first in the conference and third nationally. The team has successfully stolen 69-of-75 bases attempted this season.

Seven of the Ragin' Cajun regular starters post a batting average north of .333, an on-base percentage above .400 and at least 14 runs batted in this season. Sophomore infielder Bailey Curry is the top offensive threat this season with a batting average of .450. She has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, 12 walks drawn, and 16 RBI.

Junior pitcher Summer Ellyson has been dominant in the circle throughout the season. She has made 12 appearances, all starts, during the 2019 campaign. Ellyson has posted an earned run average 1.55 with nine victories, while striking out 7.6 batters per walk issued.

UP NEXT FOR THE BOBCATS
Texas State will continue Sun Belt Conference play in Mobile, Ala. against the South Alabama Jaguars. The two teams will meet three times from March 15-17 from Jaguar Field.

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