SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State softball opened its 2024 season with two wins, both in extraordinary fashion. The Bobcats held I-35 rival UTSA to one run while freshman pitcher Maddy Azua went for 12 strikeouts, then shutout Northwestern State in a 7-0 combined no-hitter.
 
The Bobcats allowed just two hits on opening day, both coming against UTSA while, going for 17 of their own. With 17 hits, nine runs and a combined no-hitter, the Bobcats start the year on a 2-0 streak.
 
Sara Vanderford had two runs, two hits and three RBI in the two games, including one home run in the Bobcats 7-0 win over Northwestern State. Hannah Earls was good for four hits in the two games, leading the Bobcats. She had one run as well.

The Bobcats continue the Texas State Tournament on Friday with a 4:45 pm game against assistant coach Peejay Brun's former schools, Kennesaw State.
 
From Texas State head coach Ricci Woodard
"Obviously if you've got a pitching staff that gives up two hits on a day you're probably going to win some ball games. To be able to get a no-hitter in this last game and be able to take a senior out where she's throwing a no-hitter just shows what kind of character kids I have. They don't bat an eye, they're unselfish, they want to win ball games. They understand the big picture. It's going to be a fun season."
 
From Third Basemen Sara Vanderford
"We said it before, just making sure we show up every day and play the same no matter who is in the other dugout. Once we got the first game of the season under our belt, the second game looked more like us. We still need a few more hits here and there and fewer scoreless innings, but hopefully tomorrow we'll show up better tomorrow. Overall, though, a pretty good first day."
 
From Pitcher Maddy Azua
"[My first game] was a little nerve wracking, but as the game went on I got over it and having my teammates behind my back really helped. Just knowing [that first inning] wasn't the end of the world and talking to my teammates helped me a lot." 
 
Game Summaries
Maddy Azua Stuns with 12 Strikeouts in College Debut
After allowing one run on two hits in the top of the first, Texas State responded by tying the game with one run in the second. In the third, Karmyn Bass doubled to advance Vanderford home and go up 2-1. From there, the Bobcats held on to the 2-1 win until the end.
 
After the opening inning hit, freshman pitcher Maddy Azua stunned the Roadrunners, not allowing another hit the rest of the way. She struck out 12 batters on 24 faced on the day.
 
Katarina Zarate hit the first home run in Bobcat Stadium in the 2^nd inning when she got the solo homer to left field, tying the game in the second.
 
Sara Vanderford was singled to right field in the third to get on base, only to score when Karmyn Bass hit a double on the next batter up. Vanderford's run was the difference maker to get the Bobcats the 2-1 win.
 
In the 4^th, Azua went three up, three down before striking out two of three in the fifth inning. Azua struck out at least one batter in each inning of the game.
 
Combined No Hitter and Three-Run Homer from Vanderford Propels 'Cats to 7-0 Win
Texas State had three pitchers combine for a no-hitter in the Bobcats 7-0 win over Northwestern State. Scoring the runs for the Bobcats was a single from Trahan to get Earls to score, a three run homer from Vanderford, a double from Bass for Randolph to score, and a two run homer by JJ Smith.
 
The Bobcats combined no hitter came from Tori McCann, Karsen Pierce and Presley Glende. McCann started in the circle, pitching 4.0 innings and knocking down two strikeouts. She had no walks in her time in the circle.
 
Pierce came in for two innings, and Presley Glende closed things out in the final inning.
 
The batters showed out in this game, too. Starting things off in the first, Trahan singled to center for Earls to score. Anna Jones got on base in her at-bat, followed up by Vanderford who homered to left field to take things 4-0 in the first for the Bobcats.
 
Things stayed 4-0 until the bottom of the fifth when Bass doubled to right center, sending Piper Randolph home after her own triple got her on base. Following that up, JJ Smith homered to left center for two runs, making things 7-0 for the Bobcats.
 
After that, the pitching staff continued to impress and go for the no-hitter. This was the Bobcats first no-hitter since May 7, 2022 when Jessica Mullins and Karsen Pierce combined for one in a 4-0 win against UT Arlington.