SAN MARCOS, Texas – A new softball season is officially underway as Texas State started its season off hosting #14 Arkansas inside Bobcat Softball Stadium. With an almost entirely new lineup from the 2024 season, Texas State was able to limit Arkansas to just three runs on the night, losing 3-1 to start the season.

Kate Bubela, a sophomore transfer from UNC, scored the lone run of the night for the Bobcats off an error by the Arkansas' second basemen. She was one of three Bobcats to register hits tonight, alongside Karmyn Bass and Kate Bubela. 

What Head Coach Ricci Woodard said: "I just told [the team], you just played a team that probably should've been at the College World Series last year. I can't be more proud of all these new players we have out on the field and the way they battled, the way they continued to battle throughout the entire game."   
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Sophomore preseason pitcher of the year favorite Maddy Azua started in the circle for the Bobcats, going three up and three down in the first inning with two fly outs and a ground out.

Texas State's Erin Peterson was walked in the first inning and advanced to third on a Keely Williams ground out. She was unable to score though, after a fly out from Coleman.
Azua gave up a solo home run in the second for the Bobcats to go down 1-0. 

Bass recorded her hit in the second, but was unable to advance after back-to-back strikeouts and a ground out from Emilee Baker.

Azua turned a double play after a ball came right back at her in the third inning to escape the inning still trailing 1-0. She'd give up another single in the fourth, but the Razorbacks still only held a 1-0 lead.

Neither side added any runs until the top of the 5^th when Arkansas would hit back-to-back home runs to go up 3-0. 

The Bobcats looked to come back in the 7^th, but fell short. Despite Bubela doubling up the middle and Mayson Garrett getting walked to put two runners on, the Bobcats were unable to score. After switching pitchers, Arkansas got a fly out and a strikeout to put pressure on the Bobcats. Peterson reached on an error to score Bubela to prevent the Bobcats from being shutout. From there, though, Trahan struck out to end the ball game.

Texas State would lose 3-1 in its home opener and is now 0-1 on the season. 

Up next:
Texas State softball will continue with game two of the Texas State Tournament tomorrow, Feb. 6, at 5:45 pm against San Diego. This will be the Bobcats second of four games in this opening weekend of the 2025 season. Fans can tune in on ESPN+ or buy tickets at txst.com/tickets.