Bobcats shutout Warhawks in series finale

It came down to the last inning.

Texas State and Louisiana-Monroe combined for five hits through the first six frames of Sunday’s game at ULM Softball Complex. But neither team had strung enough together to register a run.

That changed for the Bobcats in the top of the seventh. Junior infielder  Hailey MacKay reached first base in the first at-bat, but freshman pinch runner Molly Damiani was caught stealing at second, clearing the bases for the Warhawks. Junior catcher Haleigh Davis was next and dropped another single to centerfield.

The hosts got the second out of the inning with a fly ball from senior outfielder Kennedy Cline, bringing ArieAnn Bell to the plate. The sophomore infielder took a ball, then smashed the next pitch for a double. Davis turned three bases, scoring the first run of the game for the visitors. Freshman designated player Samara Lagway followed with another double to bring Bell home and extend the lead to 2-0.

ULM ended the inning in the next at-bat and looked to rally back. But the War hawks flied out in order to give Texas State the victory and series sweep (2-1, 8-2, 2-0).

Sophomore starting pitcher Megan King pitched a complete game to earn her fourth win in five games, striking out two and giving up three hits and one walk in her third shutout of the season. Davis and Lagway each batted 2-3, with Lagway picking up an RBI.

The Bobcats (15-15, 5-4 Sun Belt) will return home to face Lamar (15-18, 6-3) inside Bobcat Softball Stadium on Wednesday at 6 p.m.