Box Score LAS CRUCES, N.M. — For
Dani Elder, the wait for the 2022 Texas State softball season began when head coach
Ricci Woodard announced the addition of the Texas A&M transfer on June 25, 2021.
Eight months later, Elder did not waste any time introducing herself to the Bobcat faithful as the graduate transfer hit a solo home run in her first career at bat in the maroon and gold as Texas State knocked off New Mexico State, 10-2, on Friday, Feb. 11.
Elder's home run in the top of the second inning took the lid off the Texas State offense as the Bobcats went on to score nine more runs over the next two innings, which was highlighted by a six-run third inning. During the third inning, Elder touched home plate, again, when she scored from first base on a two-out stand-up triple by fellow newcomer
Claire Ginder.
Elder was one of four first-year Bobcats to find themselves in Woodard's starting lineup against the Aggies on Friday night as the Clear Springs High School product drew the starting assignment at first base, where was had four putouts on the evening.
FROM HEAD COACH RICCI WOODARD
"Everything just seemed to be clicking on all cylinders tonight. It was fun to watch this team start to gel together."
BATTING STAT LEADERS
- Hits – Ciara Trahan, Piper Randolph, Anna Jones, Caitlyn Rogers, Dani Elder, Claire Ginder, Hannah Earls, Kylie George (1)
- Home Runs — Dani Elder, Caitlyn Rogers (1)
- RBIs — Anna Jones, Caitlyn Rogers (2)
- Runs — Dani Elder, Kylie George (2)
PITCHING STAT LEADERS
SCORES BY INNINGS
- 1st | Texas State 0, New Mexico State 0
- 2nd | Texas State 1, New Mexico State 0
- 3rd | Texas State 7, New Mexico State 1
- 4th | Texas State 10, New Mexico State 1
- 5th | Texas State 10, New Mexico State 2
GAME NOTES
- Texas State sophomore right-handed pitcher Jessica Mullins has not allowed an earned run in her two season-opening starts following Friday night's contest. In two career opening day starts, Mullins has tossed 10 innings, struck out 20, walked two, scattered three singles and allowed only one unearned run.
- Not only did outfielder Ciara Trahan earn her first career start Friday evening, the 5-foot-4 freshman was credited with her first career collegiate hit on an infield single in the top of the fourth inning. Trahan was also credited with her first career collegiate stolen base moments later that lead to a run when Kylie George took off from third base at the same time.
- For just the second time in her collegiate softball career, senior catcher Caitlyn Rogers connected on a pitch and sent it over the outfield fence for a home run. Rogers' two-run home run during a six-run top of the third inning was her first home run since April 10, 2019, at UTSA.
- Like Trahan, fellow freshman Presley Glende made her Texas State debut against the Aggies when the 5-foot-8 right-handed pitcher tossed the game's final frame.
UP NEXT
- Texas State (1-0) will play New Mexico State (0-1) on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. CT, before rounding out the weekend against Oregon State on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 11:30 a.m. CT.
- For the latest information on the team, follow @TXStateSoftball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be at @TxStateBobcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
