Huntsville, Texas – Texas State softball advances to the Southland Conference Tournament championship game for the third consecutive year. The Bobcats earned a 2-1 victory over the No. 4 seed McNeese State to become the only unbeaten team left in the tournament. The win gave head coach Ricci Woodard her 400th career win.

“It was a great ball game and both teams played very well,” said head coach Ricci Woodard.  “It reminded me of last year's ball game, being in the same situation in last year's tournament. We knew coming in it was going to be a great ball game. It was one of those deals where you just keep battling and working at it.”

Anne Marie Taylor was phenomenal in the circle was again for the Bobcats as she allowed just four hits in the complete-game effort. Taylor fanned four batters in the contest with zero earned runs scored.

Texas State took the initial lead in the second inning when Megan Parten singled to right field giving Anna Hernandez just enough room to score.

The Cowgirls responded in the third inning Kourtney Kober scored the tying run.

Both teams carried a tied ball game into the sixth inning before the Bobcats were able to turn things into second gear. Jenna Emery recorded a leadoff single to left field to get Texas State fired up. Two batters later, pinch hitter Allison Snow singled to left field and then Jordan Masek was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Parten once again put her bat into motion as she drove in the gamewinning run to collect both RBIs for Texas State in the game.

“Obviously, Megan Parten came up with two big hits or us, but I thought we hit some balls very well all night long and so did McNeese,” Woodard said. “The play Allyce Rother made in centerfield probably wins us the ball games also. I thought overall that both teams played very well. It was sad that somebody had to lose.”

Texas State collected nine hits to McNeese State's four, while the Bobcats had one error in the game. The Bobcats will play tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. with their opponent still to be determined. The game will be aired live on SLC TV. Please check the local television listings for your area.