LAFAYETTE, La. – After a nearly four-hour delay, Texas State didn't miss a beat as it recorded a run-rule win against Coastal Carolina to clinch a spot in the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship.
Harley Vestal had a 3-3 day at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI.
Kate Bubela also had 3 RBI with her home run to make it a 9-2 game in the 4
th inning.
How It Happened:
Maddy Azua started the game in the circle and began her day with two strikeouts. Despite allowing a run after a ball back up the middle got away from her, she was able to limit the damage with runners on base to keep it a 1-0 game when Texas State came to bat.
It was a two-out rally that helped Texas State place a four on the scoreboard in the first inning. Despite the first two batters failing to reach base, six straight hits including a two-run home run from
Kat Zarate helped Texas State to score four. The 2 RBI homer from Zarate paired with RBI singles from
Karmyn Bass and
Megan Kelnar.
Azua added three more strikeouts between the second and third innings. Coastal Carolina was able to pull one run back in the top of the 4
th.
It was a two-out rally for Texas State in the 5
th, though, that put a gap between the two teams. After a leadoff single from
Sydney Harvey and
Keely Williams reached on an error, the bases became loaded on a Coleman walk. Harvey came around to score on the Chanticleer's passed ball before
Harley Vestal singled to second to make it a 6-2 game. From there,
Kate Bubela homered for the second time in two days for 3 RBI to make it a 9-2 ballgame.
Neither side added any runs in the 4
th, despite a hit from both sides.
Emma Strood came in to pitch in the top of the 6
th, recording a pair of strikeouts in her 1.0 inning outing.
The Bobcats called game in the bottom of the 6
th, walking in the run to make it 10-2 and secure the run rule win. It was four walks to load the bases that got Texas State the final run it needed for the run rule.
Texas State is now 38-19 on the season.
Up Next
Texas State will wait to find out the winner of the semi-final game between ULM and South Alabama to find out its opponent for the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship. The game will start at 1:30 pm and be streamed on ESPN2. Fans can follow along there, on social media or at txst.com/stats
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