SAN MARCOS, Texas – In the latest States Up podcast, Texas State softball's Sara Vanderford joins to discuss managing expectations of preseason accolades, her passion for playing and coaching softball, how she ended up at Texas State through family and softball, and more.
 
Out of Pasadena, Texas, Vanderford is in her fourth season as a Bobcat. In her time so far, the third baseman has been named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year (2021), Sun Belt preseason player of the year (2022), and preseason All-Sun Belt going into this season.
 
In 2023, Vanderford is one of the team's leading offensive threats among the returners. She hit a team-best 7 home runs last year and drove in 38 runs to lead the team. She was also the only Bobcat to start all 57 games for the Bobcats during their 38-19 season.
 
In the podcast, Vanderford talks about being named preseason player of the year going into last season but having a slow start, dealing with the superstition of a no-hitter, who on the team she has grown closest to, the role of softball camps has played in her attending Texas State but also giving back to future softball players, her charitable ways, and what she plans to do after Texas State.

The podcast can be heard on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and Google.
 
Fans can also access the podcast at txst.com/podcasts.

Hosted by Brant Freeman, the new States Up podcast is focused on the personalities that make up Texas State, from athletes to coaches to more, and allows fans to get to know the people they cheer for and watch compete even more. 

New episodes of the States Up podcast are released each Friday.