SAN MARCOS, Texas – Jessica Mullins struck out seven and Anna Jones drove in two runs in her two-hit night to help Texas State open its three-game series against Penn State with a 5-2 win on Thursday at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
 
The Bobcats (18-6) extended their winning streak to four games thanks to the two seniors providing the offense and pitching against the Nittany Lions (15-4).
 
"It went just as I hoped it would," said Ricci Woodard, Texas State head coach, about the win. "I knew it was going to be a battle. (Penn State) is not going to come in here and let us win. I think it's going to be a great series, and it's nice to get the first win out of the way."
 
Mullins picked up her 10th victory of the season after scattering five hits and two runs (one earned) in the complete-game effort. It was Mullins' sixth complete game in 10 starts this season.
 
Jones went 2-for-3 at the plate for her second straight multi-hit game and third in the last four contests. The right fielder drove in two runs with a two-out, bases-loaded single in the fourth inning that also resulted in another run on the play after a Penn State error. Jones singled up the middle to plate Hannah Earls and Megan Kelnar, and then on Jones' attempt to advance to second on the throw, Penn State first baseman Amanda Mack threw the ball into center field to allow Sara Vanderford to also score on the play and make it 4-0 Texas State.
 
Earls started the four-run third inning for the Bobcats with an RBI single that scored pinch runner Kamden Hutton.
 
JJ Smith matched Jones for the team-high in hits with two. The first baseman had a leadoff single in the third to ignite the crooked frame and then later added an RBI double in the fourth that scored Piper Randolph to give the Bobcats a 5-1 advantage.
 
Randolph began the fourth inning with a first-pitch, bunt single. She reached base safely twice in the game with the hit and a walk.
 
"The biggest thing for us is anyone in the lineup can go – you just don't know," said Woodard. "You can't defend us because it's everybody. One through nine (in the lineup) can go."
 
Penn State scored a run with two outs in the sixth when a comebacker hit back to Mullins in the circle glanced off her glove to result in a single and allow the Nittany Lions to trim it to 5-2.
 
The Nittany Lions scored their first run in the fourth inning after they led off the frame with a double and scored two batters later after a Texas State fielding error.
 
Mullins worked around the unearned run in the fourth with two of her seven strikeouts.
 
The right-hander also did not issue a walk for the third outing in a row.
 
Texas State will end the series against Penn State with a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch of game one is set for 4 pm.