SAN MARCOS, Texas – Karsen Pierce threw her first complete game of the season, Anna Jones and JJ Smith had back-to-back RBI base hits in the third inning, and Texas State bounced back with a 3-1 win over South Dakota State on Saturday at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
 
Pierce became the third different Bobcat to throw a complete game this year after holding the Jackrabbits to one run on three hits and three walks over seven innings. The junior also struck out two in her second win of the season.
 
"There's two things we talked about (after last night's loss): be more competitive and be more aggressive," said Texas State head coach Ricci Woodard. "We did a much better job on both ends of that today. And Karsen threw a heck of a game."

Pierce's lone mark against her record was when a leadoff walk to Mia Jarecki in the top of third inning later resulted in a run on an RBI single by Rozelyn Carrillo. Pierce limited the damage in the frame by inducing an inning-ending double play on the next batter.
 
Pierce never allowed a baserunner to reach second base after the third inning.
 
The Bobcats responded to the one run by the Jackrabbits in the top of the third with a two-run bottom half of the frame. Hannah Earls reached with a one-out single, and after Sara Vanderford hit into a fielder's choice to keep a runner on first, Jones hit an RBI triple to right field to tie the game. Smith then drove in Jones with a single up the middle to give Texas State a 2-1 lead.
 
The Bobcats added to their lead in the fourth when Katarina Zarate led off with a double and then was driven home by a groundout from Piper Randolph.
 
Zarate, Jones and Earl each had two hits to combine for six of Texas State's seven hits in the game.
 
The Bobcats will wrap up the weekend with a two-game day on Sunday. They open up the day at 10 a.m. against South Dakota State followed by a matchup against New Mexico State at 12:30 p.m.