AUSTIN, TX — Despite a season-high 11 strikeouts from junior Jessica Mullins, the Bobcats were unable to hold off the Badgers from finding a slew of runs in the ninth inning. After a four-run inning the Badgers held onto a 4-2 win in extra-innings in the opening of the Bevo Classic.
 
After giving up a single to the Badgers' lead off hitter, Mullins didn't allow another hit for nearly three innings. Her second batter of the day had a pop up to the shortstop, and from there Mullins had five-straight strikeouts. 
 
Following her five-straight strikeouts, Mullins allowed just three hits in four innings through the remainder of the regulation innings. At the end of the top of the seventh inning she had also tied her season-high nine strikeouts.
 
The Bobcats had just one hit on the day headed into the seventh inning where they had two singles from Piper Randolph and Anna Jones. The Bobcats were unable to find a run after Jones got out at second to end the inning and the game would head to extra-innings.
 
Mullins would cap off her season-high strikeout night in the top of the eighth inning where she would strikeout the last two batters for the Badgers for her 10^th and 11^th strikeouts of the game. 
 
From there, the Bobcats nearly scored off a sacrifice bunt that advanced Tori McCann to third base, but a fielder's choice got her out at home and the game would continue into the ninth inning.
 
In the top of the ninth innings things didn't start well for the Bobcats. After an error helped Skyler Sirdashney get to third, a bunt from Molly Schlosser would bring in the Badgers first run. From there, the Badgers would score three more runs on the inning before Brooke Kuffel's pop up to Mullins would end the innings.
 
The Bobcats looked to come back in the bottom of the ninth. Starting off the inning Ciara Trahan would reach on an error by the shortstop and advance to second. Her play would allow Emilee Baker to score for the Bobcats.
 
Trahan then advanced on Hannah Earls ground out and would score on Piper Randolph's. After a pitching change, Sara Vanderford stepped up to bat in hopes of tying the game but she struck out swinging and the Bobcats went home with a 2-0 loss.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action with two games tomorrow. The team will take on Wisconsin once again at 10 a.m. at McCombs Field, followed up by #13 Alabama at 12:30 p.m. Texas State will face Texas to close out the 2023 Bevo Classic on Sunday at 3 p.m.