SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State softball closed the 2023 regular season with a 3-1 loss to the James Madison Dukes. The Bobcats finish the regular season with a 33-22-1 record, having gone 13-9-1 in conference play.
Jessica Mullins started in the circle for the Bobcats, giving up an uncharacteristic double on the first batter of the day. The Dukes were able to score on the play after hitting a single with two outs on the board. Mullins was able to strike out the next batter up to keep it a one-run game.
Trahan singled on the second pitch she faced on the day, eventually stealing third. She would get left on, though, after
Karmyn Bass hit a laser to the Dukes third basement who was able to make the play for the out.
The Dukes went three up three down in the third, then allowed
Anna Jones to single down 0-2 in her count in the bottom of the second. She would steal second, but ultimately
Hannah Earls would pop up with two outs to end the inning, leaving two runners on.
Mullins would strike out two in the top of the fourth to set up an equalizing home run from Bass. Bass hit the home run down the left side, good for her fourth of her freshman season.
Bass would play a big part in ending the top of the 5
th as well. Bass would make the throw to Earls put out the Dukes steal attempt for the third out of the inning.
The Bobcats were able to get players on base in the fifth and came close to an equalizing run, but another great play from the Dukes third basemen stopped Vanderford's line drive to left field to end the inning.
Texas State got two hits in the sixth but left two on once again.
In the top of the 7
th, the Dukes scored what would be the winning runs of the game. Hall singled to left field to get on base, then Butler hit a homer to left center to make the game 3-1. The Bobcats were unable to get on base in the seventh to find any runs.
Up next, the Bobcats await the announcement of the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship bracket. The Sun Belt Tournament will run May 10-13 with streaming and live stats available. Stay tuned to txst.com for additional information to come.
