TXST SOFTBALL
Interstate 35 belongs to the Bobcats as Texas State completed the two-game sweep over the arch-rival UTSA Roadrunners, winning 3-0 in the second game played between the two rivals.
The Bobcats improve to 25-16 overall while the Roadrunners fall to 2022.
“That last inning of [Saturday’s game against South Alabama] was a really big momentum starter,” freshman Harley Vestal said. “That just kind of translated into this game.”
Coming off a critical conference series road win against South Alabama,
Head Coach Ricci Woodard stressed the importance of keeping the momentum on their side of the dugout.
“Momentum is the key for us right now,” Woodard said. “We have to keep that moment, confidence and find ways to just win ball games.”
After a scoreless four innings, the Bobcats finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth.
Senior Keely Williams started the at-bat with a leadoff single before taking second on a sacrifice bunt by Sydney Harvey.
Facing one out, Vestal connected with an RBI single in right, putting the Bobcats on the board first and breaking the scoreless tiebreak.
Vestal later struck again for the Bobcats in the bottom of the sixth.
After senior Megan Kelnar and Harvey reached base on a pair of singles, Vestal came up to the plate with runners on second and third with two outs.
On a 2-1 count, Vestal connected with a hard-hit two-run RBI double in left-center, scoring much needed insurance runs going into the seventh.
“I was just trying to keep it simple, not do too much,” Vestal said. “In the first inning, I struck out, so I think after that, just kind of being where my feet are and just keeping things simple.”
Woodard was proud of her freshman standout and her presence at the plate in critical moments.
“She stuck to the plan and did exactly what we needed her to do at every event,” Woodard said. “So usually when you do that, you’re going to have pretty good outcomes. So it’s just been fun to watch right now. She is confident, she’s handling the bat well and she’s playing the game the right way.”
Senior pitcher Emma Strood sat the UTSA batters down in order as the Bobcats sealed the win.
Strood finished the game throwing a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits, no runs and striking out eight batters.
“That’s exactly what we’ve been needing from Emma Strood,” Woodard said. “We talked about it this past weekend a little bit, and she said, ‘I got you coach.’ Obviously, tonight she did.
You get 8 strikeouts and no walks, and you’re probably going to win some ball games that way. So very proud of her.”
Texas State is back on the road Friday against Troy.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Troy.
Head Coach Ricci Woodard was honored before the softball game and during the baseball game after capturing her 900th win last week. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
Junior Kate Bubela gives senior Emma Strood a fist bump before the Bobcats start the inning against UTSA. Strood threw a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
