SAN MARCOS, Texas — Two of the top softball programs within the state of Texas will meet inside the lines on Wednesday, April 14 as Sun Belt contender Texas State (25-6, 8-3) travels to Waco, Texas to play Big XII contender Baylor (21-8, 3-0) at 6:30 p.m.
The game will be broadcasted as part of the Big XII Now portion of the ESPN+ platform.
WHO TO WATCH: Hannah Earls
Hannah Earls has been nothing short of spectacular in her freshman season at Texas State. The freshman left-fielder has appeared in 28 of the Bobcats' 31 games so far this season while earning the starting assignment in 27. Her .303 batting average is tied for the fifth-best on the team and is the highest among first-year players in the program. Earls is also leading the team with 17 walks and 13 stolen bases. Her seven strikeouts are tied for the third-fewest among eligible batters on the team, too., while her 18 runs scored are the third most. She also boosts a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage still after splitting time between shortstop and left field.
INSIDE THE SERIES: Baylor
- Baylor holds a 40-18 edge in the all-time series record books with Texas State's last win coming on March 14, 2018 when the Bobcats knocked off the Bears, 5-2, in Waco. That win also stands as the last time TXST beat BU in Waco.
- Baylor is currently riding a two-game winning streak after the Bears took single contests from the Bobcats during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
- Texas State is 9-21 all-time against Baylor on the road dating back to the series' first matchup during the 1985 season when the Bears won 5-3.
COUPLE OF GEMS
The 2021 Texas State softball pitching staff has been leaving its mark on the program record book so far this season. With a 9-strikeout performance against South Alabama on Saturday, April 10,
Meagan King became one of just 10 pitchers in program history to surpass 200 strikeouts for their career. Additionally,
Jessica Mullins became just the second Bobcat freshman softball pitcher in the last 10 seasons — Randi Rupp, 2015 — to strikeout 100-or-more batters during their freshman season. The TXST pitcher staff's five saves so far this season are tied for the fourth most in a single season in program history and the most by a staff since the 2018 season.
