Box Score HARRISONBURG, Virginia – Texas State softball suffered its first loss of conference play with an extra-inning loss to the James Madison Dukes. Ultimately a walk off 2 RBI home run from KK Mathis gave the Dukes the win. 

JJ Smith had the Bobcats lone RBI on the day and one of the Bobcats six hits.
 
Jessica Mullins pitched for the Bobcats, tossing the complete game but allowing three earned runs in the process. This was just the second game of the pitchers season with multiple earned runs allowed.

How it Happened
The Bobcats were able to get two hits including a second pitch single from Earls in the lead off. Jones got on base from a single as well. After Bass struck out though, the Bobcats stranded two runners on base.
 
Jessica Mullins started in the circle for the Bobcats, striking out the first batter in four pitches. She gave up a single but with two ground outs, the Bobcats got out of the inning without giving up a run.
 
Through two each side was able to get a hit, but neither side added a run. Both sides headed to the third inning with zeroes on the board.
 
The Dukes walked Vanderford with two outs, but no Bobcats were able to bat her in.  Mullins retired three batters in a row in the bottom of the 3^rd.
 
Texas State got on the board in the 4^th when JJ Smith doubled to centerfield, scoring Piper Randolph who reached on a wild pitch.
 
Mullins loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but got out of it giving up just one run. A textbook 6-4-3 double play from Earls, Zarate and Smith sealed the two outs needed to keep the Dukes from taking the lead in the game.
 
Both sides went three up, three down in the 5^th. Mullins got one strikeout. The Dukes got a hit in the 6^th, but again were unable to score any runners. Heading to the 7^th it was a 1-1 ball game.
 
Smith got on base from a hit pitch and advance to second on a wild pitch. Zarate singled to advance on the throw, and Baker got a hit to load the bases. Earls would get on to keep the bases loaded, with Smith thrown out at home. 
 
Similarly, on the next play up, Trahan would get on while Zarate was thrown out at home. To close the inning Vanderford would get on while Earls was out at 3^rd.
 
Mullins was in the circle for the 7^th and forced a ground out, a fly out and tossed a three-pitch strikeout to force extra innings.
 
The Bobcats were unable to put any runs on the board in the 8^th. Ultimately the game ended in the bottom of the 8^th when KK Mathis homered to left field for two RBI to win the game.
 
Up Next
The Bobcats will return to action on Wednesday, March 20 at 7 pm. The 'Cats will take on Texas A&M inside Bobcat Softball Stadium in a rematch of the 2023 NCAA Austin Regional. Get your tickets at txst.com/tickets or tune in on ESPN+.