HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Texas State softball is set to head on the road for four-straight road games, beginning with in-state opponent Sam Houston. Texas State will face the Bearkats on Tuesday, March 26 at 5 p.m. in Huntsville. The team will then continue to Mobile, Alabama for a three game series with South Alabama this weekend.
 
GAME INFO:
TXST at Sam Houston: March 26 at 5 pm (No Stream)
TXST at South Alabama: March 28 at 6 pm (ESPN+)
TXST at South Alabama: March 29 at 6 pm (ESPN+)
TXST at South Alabama: March 30 at 1 pm (ESPN+)
 
LAST TIME OUT:
Last time these Bobcats faced the Bearkats they won 10-0. The game was earlier this season on Feb. 15 and the Bobcats got the run-rule win in five innings. Texas State has a 64-48 record all time against Sam Houston, and a 23-26 record in Huntsville.
 
The last time the Bobcats faced South Alabama was in the 2023 season at home where the Bobcats won one game of the three-game series. The series finale was a 0-7 loss for the Bobcats. Texas State has a 17-9 record all time against South Alabama, and a 8-3 record in Mobile. The Bobcats won two games of the 2022 series in Mobile.
 
ABOUT THE BOBCATS:
Texas State goes into the weekend with a 26-7 record coming off a four-game win streak. The Bobcats beat #14 Texas A&M and App State three times last week. The Bobcats are ranked No. 25 by D1 Softball and No. 17 by Softball America's poll. The Bobcats are also receiving votes in the USA Today and ESPN polls. Texas State sits with the highest RPI in the Sun Belt, at No. 9.
 
Leading the offense for the Bobcats going into the week is Hannah Earls who's batting .363. She has 41 hits, 23 runs and five RBI in 113 at-bats. Sara Vanderford is also helping the Bobcat offense with a .351 batting averaging as she's good for 34 hits, 24 runs and 25 RBI in 97 at-bats. Ciara Trahan is batting .317 and Anna Jones rounds out the top of the lineup with a .333. 
 
Jessica Mullins has been the Bobcats ace pitcher this season with her 0.83 ERA. She has pitched 118.1 innings so far this season with 112 strikeouts, 14 earned runs, 15 walked batters and just 14 extra-base hits allowed. She has tossed 11 complete games including one perfect game.  


ABOUT THE BEARKATS:
Sam Houston comes into the game off a win over Liberty on Sunday. The team has 12 wins so far this season. They scored five or more runs in their last two games. They're led by Garrett Valis who is in his sixth season with the program and holds a 112-164 record all-time.
 
The Bearkats have two players hitting over the .300 mark this season including Julia Herziner (.302) and Ellie Grill (.308). Grill is leading the Bearkats in hits (33) and runs (15). Leading the RBI is Tricia Yarotsky who's batting .294. 
 
Pitching for the Bearkats is likely to be Amy Abke. She has 16 appearances and eight starts for the Bearkats this season. She has a 3.86 ERA with two complete games. She's pitched 53.2 innings, allowing 50 hits and 31 runs. She has 36 strikeouts so far this season and batters average .245 against her.
 
ABOUT THE JAGUARS:
South Alabama comes into the week with a three-game win streak, with plans to face McNeese before the Bobcats come to town. The Jaguars are 17-11-1 on the season and 3-3 in conference play after a series sweep over ULM. They are led by 18th year head coach Becky Clark who has a 551-356-2 record with the program.
 
The Jaguars have three players hitting over the .275 mark this season including Gabby Stagner (.345), Mackenzie Brasher (.297) and Olivia Branstetter (.288). Stagner leads in runs (20), hits (30), and RBI (25). 
 
Pitching for the Jaguars is likely to be Olivia Lackie. She has 21 appearances and 12 starts for South Alabama this season. She has a 1.79 ERA with 11 complete games. She's pitched 113.1 innings, allowing 75 hits and 32 runs. She has 117 strikeouts so far this season and batters average .183 against her.
 
South Alabama is currently ranked 5th in the conference with their 3-3 record.
 
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will return home for four straight home games, including a conference play series against Troy. On April 3, the Bobcats will host Baylor before seeing the Trojans. The Bobcats three game series with Troy will start on April 5. This night will be the first of four 'Senior Night' recognitions for the nine seniors of Bobcat softball. This night we will be honoring Anna Jones, Karsen Pierce and Claire Ginder.