Bobcats get doubleheader sweep over Southern Miss

Texas State managed through a rain-filled weekend to pull off a two-game sweep of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles taking game two in a 4-2 victory.

Despite battling the weather, which turned the three-game series into a double-header Saturday, Head Coach Ricci Woodard said she was proud of her team for pulling through the difficult scheduling for an important conference sweep, keeping their five-game winning streak alive.

“It’s nice to come out of here with two wins,” Woodard said. “I don’t think we played our best ball by any means, but we found ways to win both ball games.”

The Bobcats came out swinging in game two. Piper Randolph got on base as the first batter up, reaching base on an error by the Golden Eagle’s third baseman. She advanced to third off a bunt from Hannah Earls and ultimately scored when Sara Vanderford singled to right field. After one, the Bobcats had a 1-0 lead.

Karsen Pierce, a transfer from Southern Miss, started on the mound for the Bobcats. She threw a second- inning strikeout to go three-for-three in the second inning. The Golden Eagles didn’t get a second hit off Pierce until the 4th inning.

In the bottom of the 4th, the Bobcats took the lead once and for all. After Megan Kelnar and Sydney Harvey got on base, Randolph hit a bomb to right field for the 3 RBI homer. In her first game of the season as a leadoff, she was a part of every run scored for the Bobcats in game two against Southern Miss.

“I’m not usually our one hole,” Randolph said. “We had to make some adjustments. Seeing some pitches your first go-around is important, but once you know what she’s throwing and you can expect what she’s throwing at you, it’s a little easier to have your green light.”

Randolph’s homer was the first of her career as a Bobcat.

In the fifth inning, Jessica Mullins came in for relief for Pierce who finished the game throwing 4.2 innings while allowing just three hits, one run, one walk and throwing two strikeouts.

With the pitching staff one of the stronger units on the team, Randolph said she is proud that the team has a rotation that is able to keep the runs off the board.

“I’m a lot more comfortable playing knowing our pitchers have our back,” Randolph said, about her deep pitching staff. “They’re going to go out there and fight for you no matter what.”

The Golden Eagles pulled back a run in the 6th inning off a second home run. It wouldn’t be enough, though, to get back in the game.

To close out the game in the 7th inning, Mullins threw two strikeouts on her three batters faced.

Texas State returns to play Monday as the Bobcats battle an old conference foe in the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

First pitch is at 6 p.m. at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos.