LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas State softball heads back out on the road for four games this weekend as part of the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic hosted by Texas Tech. The Bobcats will play two games each against New Mexico State and UTEP.
The Bobcats time in the tournament will take place on two days, Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2. The Bobcats first game will be against UTEP at 4:30 pm on March 1.
Texas State returns to the road with a 14-5 record so far on the season with this being the team's second road trip of the year. The Bobcats are 6-0 on the season on the road, going undefeated at the Sun Devil/GCU Classic last weekend. The Bobcats will look to continue their streak on the road this weekend.
WEEKEND MATCH UPS
Friday, March 1
Texas State vs UTEP| 4:30 pm |
Live stats
Texas State vs New Mexico State | 7pm |
Live stats
Saturday, March 2
Texas State vs UTEP| 11:30 am |
Live stats
Texas State vs New Mexico State | 2pm |
Live stats
GAME NOTES
ABOUT THE BOBCATS:
Texas State, which is coming off a 35-win campaign and an appearance in the NCAA Austin Regional as an at-large bid, was picked third in the Sun Belt coaches preseason poll. The team is 14-5 on the season so far.
The Bobcats returns all 21 players from last year's team, including former All-Sun Belt players
Jessica Mullins(pitcher),
Sara Vanderford (third base),
Ciara Trahan (outfield) and
Hannah Earls (shortstop). The Bobcats also return position players
Anna Jones,
Piper Randolph,
Karmyn Bass,
JJ Smith and
Katarina Zarate. The Bobcats return 100% of its RBI from last season.
In the circle, the Bobcats return its entire pitching staff. Mullins,
Karsen Pierce,
Presley Glende,
Tori McCann, and
Analisa Soliz round out the returners on the staff. The Bobcats also added freshman left handed pitcher Maddy Azua. Azua tossed a 12 strikeout game in her first appearance.
In her junior year, pitcher
Jessica Mullins has entered Texas State's all-time top-10 in several career categories.
- 4th overall for ERA (1.73),
- 5th for appearances (138)
- 8th for innings pitched (661)
- 4th for wins (76)
- 10th for shutouts (15).
In addition to Mullins, third baseman
Sara Vanderford is also climbing the Texas State career lists. The senior is third in career batting average (.328), 1st in career doubles (59), 2nd in career home runs (32), and 2nd in career RBI (153).
Hannah Earls has made her way into the record book with 70 stolen bases, good to be 3rd on the all-time list. Sophomore
Ciara Trahan is in the record books with a .332 batting average, good for second on the all-time list.
So far this season Trahan leads the team with a .450 batting average where she has 27 hits and 17 runs while tacking on 9 RBI.
ABOUT THE MINERS:
UTEP comes into the weekend with a 10-4 record on the season. They are coming off two losses to Arizona State, though.
UTEP has three batters batting above .350 this season. Leading the way is Ajia Richard who's batting .404. She has 19 runs and 12 hits so far this season in 47 at bats. Among the top of the lineup is Bri Garcia who's batting .387 and Lexi Morales who's batting .386.
Faith Aragon has the most pitching appearances for the Miners this season, with seven starts. She has a 2.33 ERA on the season in 39.0 innings pitched. Taja Felder has pitched 33.2 innings this season with a 4.37 ERA.
ABOUT THE AGGIES:
New Mexico State comes into the weekend with a 9-5 record on the season. They are coming off a win at Arizona State in the ASU/GCU tournament.
NMSU has four batters batting above .300 this season. Leading the way is Dezianna Patmon who is batting .444. She has 16 hits and 10 runs in 36 at-bats this season. Among the top of the lineup is Kristen Boyd who's batting .385, Jillian Taylor who's batting .341 and Jayleen Burton who's batting .320.
Desirae Spearman has the most pitching appearances for the Aggies this season, with four starts. She has a 0.30 ERA on the season in 23.0 innings pitched. Jaileen Mancha also has pitched 26.1 innings while keeping a 2.92 ERA.
LAST TIME THEY MET
UTEP
All-time series: Texas State trails 1-2
Last meeting: Feb. 25, 2012 in Waco, Texas (W 3-0)
Texas State and UTEP are 1-1 all time at neutral sites.
New Mexico State
All-time series: Texas State leads 12-10
Last meeting: Feb. 19, 2023 in San Marcos, Texas (L 0-4)
Texas State and NMSU are 2-2 all time at neutral sites.
