Trailing 4-2 after the top of the fourth inning, the Bobcats scored three unanswered runs to take the series opener against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, winning 5-4.
Texas State improves to 32-18 for the season and 12-7 in conference play.
“I had no doubt in us,” senior Sami Hood said. ”The Baylor game wasn't our best game. I knew that we were going to come through and play our best games this weekend and do it for each other.”
Head Coach Ricci Woodard was proud of her team following their loss to Baylor and finding a way to beat Coastal after trailing by two.
“Our biggest thing right now is just playing the game one pitch at a time,” Woodard said. “One game at a time, one run at a time and not trying to do too much/ Just stick to what we do and try to find ways to win ball games at the end of the season.”
The Chanticleers scored on the RBI double before scoring again on a Bobcat fielding error to take the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Texas State answered back in the bottom of the first as senior first baseman Aiyana Coleman hit an RBI single off the wall, cutting their deficit to 2-1.
The Bobcats tied the game in the bottom of the third as a Chanticleers fielding error allowed junior Katarina Zarate to score from second, making it a 2-2 game.
Coastal took back the lead in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly. The Chanticleers later added another run on a bases loaded walk as the Bobcats entered the bottom of the fourth down 4-2.
But the Bobcats tied the game up with one swing as senior Sami Hood connected with a two-run home run, making it a 4-4 game.
“I was sitting on the change,” Hood said. “I think it helped me be on time for the hard pitch, because I'm always early on everything.”
Texas State later took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as freshman Harley Vestal scored on a passed ball from third base, putting the Bobcats up 5-4.
Junior pitcher Madison Azua earned her 22nd win of the season, closing out the side while allowing nine hits, two earned runs, one walk and striking out nine batters.
“The biggest thing for Maddie is that she's a big gamer,” Woodard said. “As the game went on, you knew she was going to get better. So I knew we were going to get to the 7th inning and have the top of their lineup up. That's when she would be at her best and it was right on the money.”
Texas State will look to clinch the series tomorrow against the Chanticleers. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
