SAN MARCOS, Texas – After a three-win opening weekend, Texas State softball returns to familiar grounds with the I-35 Tourney this weekend at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
 
The Bobcats host Lamar on Thursday to open the five-game weekend, which will also feature three contests against South Dakota State and one versus New Mexico State.
 
Texas State did not allow more than four runs in any of its first five games last weekend with the Texas State Tournament. After splitting its first two days against Wichita State, Kent State and Villanova, the Bobcats capped the weekend with a 7-4 win over the Shockers.
 
The Bobcats had 37 hits over the 5 games and averaged 4.8 runs per game.
 
Led by reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Sara Vanderford, the Bobcats had 11 extra-base hits. Vanderford had 5 of the 11 base knocks for extra bases.
 
While none of the games will be broadcast on ESPN+ this weekend due to scheduling conflicts with other Texas State home events, Friday and Sunday's games can be heard on KTSW 89.9 and online at KTSW's website. Live stats will be available for all 5 games.
 
Weekend Matchups
2023 I-35 Tourney
Bobcat Softball Stadium | San Marcos, Texas
 
Thursday, Feb. 16
Texas State vs. Lamar – 6 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
Friday, Feb. 17
Texas State vs. South Dakota State – 5 pm
Tickets | KTSW 89.9 FM | Online Audio | Live Stats
 
Neutral site games:
Texas A&M Corpus Christi vs. New Mexico State – 12 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
South Dakota State vs. New Mexico State – 2:30 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
Saturday, Feb. 18
Texas State vs. South Dakota State – 2:30 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
Neutral site games:
Lamar vs. Abilene Christian – 12 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
South Dakota State vs. Abilene Christian – 5 pm
Tickets | Live Stats
 
Sunday, Feb. 19
Texas State vs. South Dakota State – 10 am
Tickets | KTSW 89.9 FM | Online Audio | Live Stats
 
Texas State vs. New Mexico State – 12:30 pm
Tickets | KTSW 89.9 FM | Online Audio | Live Stats
 
GAME NOTES

• For the first time since 2020, Texas State limited its opponents to 4 runs or less in each of the first 5 games of a season.
  • In 2020, the Bobcats held their opponents to 4 runs or less in 24 consecutive games to start the season before the campaign was ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sara Vanderford has opened the season with a 5-game hitting streak, helping her bat a team-best .538 so far.
  • The third baseman had a season-high 2 hits twice last weekend, including 2 in the 7-4 win over Wichita State on Sunday.
  • Dating back to last season, Vanderford has a 9-game hitting streak. She is 14-for-26 (.538) over the streak.
  • Her longest hitting streak in 2022 was a 7-gamer from April 15-24.
• Sara Vanderford continued her ascent in the Texas State career record book last weekend.
  • She had 4 doubles, giving her 40 in her career which is 6th-most in school history.
    • She needs one double to tie Chandler Hall for 5th on the list and 2 doubles to match Alex Newton for 4th.
    • Her 4 doubles this year enter the week as the most in the Sun Belt.
  • She had a home run last weekend, giving her 23 in her career which is tied with Ashley Wilson (2002-05) for 6th most in program history.
    • She needs one more home run to tie Hailey MacKay (2018-21) and Leah Boatright (2007-10) for 4th on the all-time list.
  • She has 105 career RBI, which is 9th most in school history.
    • With 2 more RBI, she would match Hailey MacKay (2018-21) and Kendall Wiley (2014-16) for 7th on the all-time list.
• With 4 appearances last weekend, Jessica Mullins also continued her climb in the Texas State career record books.
  • She earned 2 wins, which puts her at 49 in her career. She is currently 6th in program history in that category.
  • Her 11 strikeouts in the opening weekend moved her into a tie for 5th in program history with Ragan Blake (2007-08).
• Ciara Trahan, the Sun Belt leader in hits so far this year, is carrying a 5-game on-base streak after opening weekend.
  • In 61 career games, the sophomore has reached base safely in 51 of them.
  • In her last 24 games, Trahan has reached safely in 23 games.
  • She has a .474 OBP in 19 plate appearances this year.
• Texas State plays all of its games in February at home and will look to maintain a winning record in the opening month for the 3rd straight year.
  • Texas State is 26-15 in February over the last 4 seasons.
    • 2023: 3-2
    • 2022: 6-5
    • 2021: 6-2
    • 2020: 11-6

 
LAST TIME THEY MET
Lamar
All-time series: Texas State leads, 8-3
Last meeting: Feb. 28, 2021 (Texas State won, 8-1)
All-time in San Marcos: Texas State trails, 7-2
Current streak: W7
 
South Dakota State
All-time series: First meeting
 
New Mexico State
All-time series: Tied, 10-10
Last meeting: Feb. 12, 2022 (Texas State won, 14-2)
All-time in San Marcos: Texas State trails, 4-5
Current streak: W2