SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State softball split its day in Lubbock with a run-rule loss to UTEP and a run-rule win against New Mexico State. After a slow start to the day saw the Bobcats lose its first road game of the season, the team battled back in dominant fashion to run-rule the Aggies.
 
In the game with UTEP, the Miners' bats were hot as they scored eight runs in just four innings, including a four-run fourth inning. The Bobcats were unable to answer the 8-0 in the top of the 5^th to prevent the run rule.
 
Against New Mexico State, though, the 'Cats bats were hot from the get-go. With five runs in the first inning, including a 2 RBI homer from Anna Jones, the 'Cats had put the game away early on. It took a two-run inning in the 6^th to seal the run-rule.

The Bobcats continue with close out their run at the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic with the same set of games tomorrow, one against UTEP at 11:30 am and one against New Mexico State at 2 pm.
 
Game Summaries
UTEP Controls the Bobcats, Run Rules in 5
Hannah Earls struck out to start things off for the Bobcats, followed by a Ciara Trahan ground out. Vanderford was walked to get the lone Bobcat on base but Jones ground out the next at-bat.
 
Maddy Azua started in the circle for the Bobcats and gave up four hits in the opening inning. She gave up three singles and a double to score the three runs, forcing the Bobcats to battle back.
 
Despite Azua retiring three batters in the bottom of the second, the Cats coldn't get any hits or capitalize off the Miners errors to score any runs.
 
In the bottom of the third Azua gave up two more hits and the Miners tacked on one more run. The 'Cats were unable to add any runs in the 4^th.
 
Headed to the bottom of the 4^th, Analisa Soliz came in to pitch for Azua. She gave up two doubles and a home run for four runs that made things 8-0.
 
Earls and Trahan ground out in the Bobcats attempt to prolong the game, but once Sara Vanderford singled to get on base she was caught out at 2^nd and the Bobcats would fall 8-0.

Aggressive Start from the Bobcats Helps to 8-0 Win
After a rough start to the day the Bobcats were looking for a bounce back game. That came quickly in the second game of the day with New Mexico State. 
 
Jessica Mullins started in the circle, allowing the Aggies one hit in the top of the 1^st but closed things out with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the 1^st the Bobcats capitalized on Aggie errors to put away some runs. After Earls reached on an error, she advanced to second on Trahan's ground out. From there, Vanderford reached on an error and advanced to third in the process. Earls scored on the play.
 
Up next Anna Jones homered to left center and Vanderford scored on the play, putting the 'Cats up 3-0. Karmyn Bass would reach on an error and advance to third after a Piper Randolph double. JJ Smith would double on her next at-bat but get out on the play while Randolph and Bass scored to make it 5-0.
 
Mullins struck out two in the top of the 2^nd and one in the 3^rd while the 'Cats added no more runs in the bottom of the 2^nd. They did add one run off a Bass ground out in the 3^rd, though.
 
Mullins struck out two more in the top of the 4^th, one more in the top of the 5^th. In the 6^th the 'Cats would give up two hits but get out of the inning without any Aggie runs.
 
In the bottom of 6, Kat Zarate hit her third home run of the season to make things 7-0. Shortly after, Vanderford singled for an RBI to win the game in six innings.