SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Softball surrendered six unanswered runs to fall 5-0 on Thursday night to Tarleton State.

Despite Maddy Azua allowing no runs through four innings, a hot-hitting sixth inning for Tarleton State saw them score six runs to win the game.

How it Happened: 
Azua started in the circle for the Bobcats, tossing four hitless innings and striking out six batters in the process. She started the game with her first strikeout on the third batter to retire the side in order.

Texas State scored four of its five runs in the 2^nd inning, beginning with a leadoff home run for Aiyana Coleman, her sixth of the season. The 224-foot bomb went out to left center to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. 

From there, the Bobcats rallied on two outs, beginning with a four-pitch Sami Hood walk. She advanced to second on a Megan Kelnar single. The Texan defense tried to get an out at 2^nd but came short, so the Bobcats scored on a Sydney Harvey fielder's choice. They'd add a second run off Keely Williams fielders choice as the Texan defense once again came short on finding an out on the bases. Harley Vestal singled to right for the fourth run of the inning, giving Texas State a 4-0 lead after two. 

Megan Kelnar added another run in. the 3^rd on a RBI single after two strikeouts from Azua in the top half of the inning. After three, Texas State led 5-0.

The wheels came off for the Bobcats in the 6^th, though. Analisa Soliz was in the circle and got two outs in the inning before giving up a single, double and a walk to load the bases. Tarleton State scored two on an RBI single when Azua came back in to pitch.

Azua walked the first batter she faced to reload the bases, when Chesney Davis came in, searching for the final out. Davis gave up a grand slam, though, for the Texans to take the lead. The Bobcats got out of the inning after that, despite two more hits from Tarleton.

Texas State put three runners on in the 6^th but stranded them. 

Emma Strood came in to close the game, striking out two of three batters. Despite that, though, the Bobcats fell short in finding a tying run after being retired in order to end the game.

Texas State is now 13-8 on the season.

Up next:
Texas State will close the San Marcos Showdown tomorrow, March 6 at 1:30 pm against Tarleton State, followed by a game with #14 Texas A&M. The team will then host Sam Houston in a midweek game on March 11 at 3 pm. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.