High expectations surround Texas State entering the season

The preseason hype has not slowed down for Texas State this season as the Bobcats approach the 2023 softball season.

Part of the reason for the hype is that the Bobcats and Head Coach Ricci Woodard are having a balanced attack both in pitching and on offense.

“I like this group,’ Woodard said. “We have all the pieces to the puzzle. We are pretty deep in the pitching staff and we are as good offensively as we ever have been. We have been running the bases really well, and we got some power in the middle… As far as this group goes, I don’t think there is a piece missing to the puzzle.”

The Bobcats are coming off a 38-19 season where they fell to rival Louisiana in the championship game of the Sun Belt Softball Tournament.

Though Texas State won 38 games last season, the Bobcats missed out on a NCAA Tournament bid.

With a tournament bid on the mind of the players, the main focus for the Bobcats has been playing with resolve.

“We wanted to be more intentional this year,” Woodard said. “Everything we do every single day we want to do it with intent. It’s the intent to be better rather than just wanting to be here.”

Texas State enters the season with three players being named to the Sun Belt All Preseason Team including Preseason Pitcher of the Year Jessica Mullins During the 2022 season, Mullins struck out 253 batters while allowing just 53 walks with a record of 27-13 and an ERA of just 1.80.

After another excellent season on top of missing the tournament, Mullins and the Bobcats are embracing the high expectations while playing with a chip on their shoulder.

“I expect this team to be top notch all around,” Mullins. “We are going to come out with fire in our eyes and revenge to be able to make it to the NCAA Tournament. I’m really excited for what this team has in store for this weekend and the rest of the season.”

Despite another great season, Mullins feels more tranquil this year than in the past.

“Coming into this season, I feel a lot more calm than in the past couple years,” Mullins said. “It’s weird because I’ve always wanted the ball in my hands and have that BA mentality. So now it’s about keeping that fire going while making sure I pitch every pitch like it’s my last.”

Another player that made the Sun Belt All Preseason team was senior infielder Sara Vanderford.

Vanderford was a force to be reckoned with at the plate with a batting average of .306 with seven home runs, and 38 RBIs.

A focus for improvement that both Vanderford and the Texas State offense is to be steady at the plate.

“I think we can be better at situational hitting this year,” Vanderford said. “We can also improve on our consistency which personally I was a little inconsistent with last year. So it’s about finding a groove and staying in it every single day… It’s about approaching the day the same and not riding the highs and lows and we will be good to go.”

Texas State kicks off the season with the Texas State Softball Tournament playing five games across three days against Wichita State, Kent State and Villinova.

First pitch against Wichita State is at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon with a second game at 5:30 p.m. against Kent State with all games at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc