Senior Aiyana Coleman’s grand slam in the bottom of the sixth helped the Bobcats complete the sweep of the Coastal Coastal Chanticleers as Texas State won 6-2 to complete the sweep.
Texas State improves to 34-18 overall and 14-7 in conference play while Coastal Carolina falls to 22-29 and 6-15 for the season.
“I think going to [the at-bat], I just wanted to go in there with confidence,” Coleman said. “I felt like my previous at-bats weren't as confident. I know that my team needed me, and I just wanted to go in there with confidence to know that I'm capable.”
It was an emotional weekend for the Bobcats, honoring their eight senior players who were playing their final games at Bobcat Softball Stadium.
“What a special group,” Head Coach Ricci Woodard said.
”They have given us every piece of themselves over the last two to four years. They've been a fun group to watch. They just get after it, show up and try to win ball games. Sometimes they probably try to do too much so they've just been a really fun group to have around.”
Coastal Carolina scored first in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly in center before putting another run on the board on a Texas State error to make it a 2-0 lead for the Chanticleers.
Texas State answered back in the bottom of the first as freshman Harley Vestal hit an RBI single to score senior Karmyn Bass at second.
The Bobcats later tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as senior Sami Hood dropped a RBI single in left field.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bobcats loaded up the bases with one out following a walk from senior Megan Kelnar and Hood then a single from Bass.
Coming up to the plate, Coleman crushed the ball over the wall in center, hitting the grand slam and putting the Bobcats up 6-2 for their first lead of the game.
“It was awesome, just the whole surreal moment of it,” Coleman said. “My last step out on my home field, and all the emotions of my teammates, seeing them at home plate waiting for me.
I think that's just surreal.”
Senior Analisa Soliz came in to close out the game, getting the next three outs to seal the win.
“It was nice to get Analisa on the field,” Woodard said. “We just haven't been in that spot where we've been able to really make a lot of pitching changes lately. So to get the chance to come in, spin the ball a little bit, and finish your career here at home on the diamond, it was just the perfect ending to the perfect storm.”
Texas State closes out the regular season on the road against App State.
