Bobcats earn first conference win with big sixth inning at South Alabama

Texas State exploded for six runs in the sixth inning to propel itself past South Alabama, 9-6, on Friday inside Jaguar Field in Mobile, Ala. 

The victory marked the Bobcats’ first Sun Belt victory this season. It also snapped Texas State’s five-game losing streak. 

South Alabama (9-14, 0-4 Sun Belt) jumped in front of Texas State (10-14, 1-3) with two runs in the first inning. The frame began when the Jaguars loaded the bases. South Alabama scored when junior designated player Katelyn Gruich hit into a fielder’s choice, which allowed sophomore third base Kamdyn Kvistad to score and freshman right fielder Victoria Ortiz crossed the plate due to a Bobcat fielding error. 

The Bobcats cut the the Jaguar lead to 2-1 in the second inning and evened the score at 2-2 with a run in the third inning. 

Both teams traded runs. South Alabama went up 3-2 in the fourth but Texas State responded with a run in the fifth to tie the game. 

The Jaguars brought home two runs in the bottom of the fifth with RBI doubles from senior catcher Taylor Stevens and freshman second baseman Holly Stewart. 

Texas State seized control of the game with six runs in the sixth. The Bobcats scored their runs off RBI doubles from freshman designated player Samara Lagway and sophomore shortstop Tara Oltmann. A triple from junior catcher Haleigh Davis capped off Texas State’s big inning. 

South Alabama got a run back in the bottom of the sixth but the Bobcats held on for the 9-6 victory. 

Texas State continued its three-game series against the Jaguars on Saturday.