TROY, Ala. — Playing in its fourth Sun Belt Conference tournament game in as many days, the Texas State softball program concluded its stay in Troy, Ala., on Saturday, May 15 when the Bobcats fell to South Alabama, 4-3, in the semifinals of the tournament.
"I thought our team did a good job of coming out and competing every day," said Texas State softball head coach
Ricci Woodard. "I think it's hard to come in here with the target on your back. I think we played the first game a little tight and we needed to loosen up, because you have to play with nothing to lose. I thought we did a good job of that as the tournament went on."
Becoming the third different Bobcat to get the starting assignment in the pitching circle,
Dalilah Barrera pitched three scoreless innings, before South Alabama clawed into the run column with a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.
The Jaguars' run came after Texas State (38-12) struck first in the top half of the inning when
Kylie George scored from third on a fielder's choice off the bat of
Hailey MacKay.
Tori McCann (4-2) entered the circle for Barrera with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth. A walk and a wild pitch allowed two runs to score and push South Alabama ahead 3-1.
It didn't take long for Texas State to respond as
Tara Oltmann singled home George, who hit a one-out single then advanced to second on a wild pitch, before taking second herself. She, like George, advanced to third on a wild pitch, before scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of
Sara Vanderford to tie the game at 3.
"Coach Woodard told us after the first game that we really don't have much to lose because we've put ourselves in a good spot to make the NCAA Tournament," Oltmann said. "So, I think we came into that first game a little tight, but afterwards, we settled down and just focused on playing our game."
Texas State had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning when
Piper Randolph singled to start the inning, then stole second with two outs but Vanderford hit a line drive to left field.
McCann went on to throw two more scoreless innings, before giving way to
Brooke Blackwell after two batters in the bottom of the eighth. A walk loaded the bases, before a grounder to Vanderford allowed the game-ending run to score from third.
Texas State will now await its NCAA Tournament fate as the postseason field will be revealed on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m.
