Texas State rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth after trailing 2-0 to defeat the James Madison Dukes 5-2 in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
The Bobcats advance to the semifinals while avenging their conference tournament loss from last year where James Madison defeated Texas State 2-0.
The Dukes scored first in the top of the second, hitting a solo home run to take the early 1-0 lead over the Bobcats.
Later in the top of the fourth inning, the Dukes scored again on an RBI double as Texas State fell in a 2-0 hole.
James Madison looked to add on to their lead in the top of sixth following a leadoff double followed by a sacrifice bunt which moved the runner up to third base.
However, on the fielder’s choice, senior shortstop Sami Hood made a quick throw to junior third baseman Kate Bubela at third base to get the runner out and eliminate the scoring threat for the second out.
After getting the final batter out on a fly out, the Bobcats went to work on offense.
Senior outfielder Keely Williams started the at-bat with a leadoff double before scoring on an RBI single by Hood put Texas State on the board for the first time in the game.
Seniors Aiyana Coleman and Katarina Zarate both drew walks as the Bobcats loaded up the bases with no outs.
Freshman outfielder Harley Vestal hit a hard groundball towards the second baseman who was unable to make the throw home before tossing the ball to first for the out, allowing Hood to score and tying the at game 2-2.
With runners on second and third with one out, Bubela gave the Bobcats the lead with one swing of the bat as the junior connected with a three-run home run over the wall in center field, putting Texas State up 5-2.
The Dukes were unable to pull off a seventh inning rally as the Bobcats went on to win.
Texas State plays Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference semifinals.
Game Notes
- Coleman broke the Sun Belt Conference record for most walks in a single season at 61. The old conference record was set in 2019 by Keeli Milligan of Louisiana.
- With the win, the Bobcats are in a solid spot to clinch an at-large for the NCAA Tournament. Texas State has three Q1 wins over Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Clemson and seven Q2 wins.
- Texas State faces Coastal Carolina in the conference tournament semifinals. The Bobcats swept the Chanticleers this season during senior weekend.
