SAN MARCOS, TX — The Bobcats headed on the road for the road opener of the 2023 season. With a doubleheader to open the Owl Classic the Bobcats split the day with a loss to Winthrop and a win over hosts FAU in the first two games of the tournament.
 
Hot Start Isn't Enough in Game One
The Bobcats started off the day on a hot streak, scoring four runs off two hits and two errors in the top of the first inning. Runs were scored by Hannah Earls, Ciara Trahan, Sara Vanderford and Anna Jones. The Bobcats took advantages of errors from the Eagles and got started off on a hot streak.
 
After the opening inning, the Bobcats were shut out.
 
In the bottom of the second inning the Eagles would take the lead after getting five runs after getting hit by a pitch to start things off. After giving up the five runs in the bottom of the second the Bobcats made some changes to try and fight back into the game.
 
Winthrop tacked on another run in the third inning off an RBI single before capping off the night in the fourth inning with a two RBI single for the last two runs. From there, the Bobcats looked to find more runs but to no avail and would take their first road loss of the season.
 
Vanderford's Homer, Mullin's shutout Steers Bobcats to Win over FAU
After losing in the first game of the day, the Bobcats looked to bounce back against FAU. After a slow start in the first inning from both sides, Sara Vanderford hit home for the second time this season. 
 
The homer to left field came off a 2-2 count an d gave the Bobcats the advantage headed into a strong defensive game for both sides. After Vanderford's homer the Bobcats had just three more hits on the night.
 
To help hold the Bobcats 1-0 lead, Jessica Mullins stepped up atop the mound and had three strikeouts in three innings played to eliminate the Owl offense. 
 
In the fifth inning the Bobcats were able to put their second run on the board from Randolph off an RBI single from Anna Jones. Randolph's run would be the final one of the game as the Bobcats went home with the 2-0 win.
 
Capping off the night was Mullins who had an additional three strikeouts to her name in the final three innings played. For Mullins, this was her third game of the year with seven strikeouts and her fourth complete game.

The Bobcats will return to action tomorrow for another double game day against Penn at 8 am (CT) and Illinois State at 1 pm (CT).