Bobcats stun the Golden Eagles with comeback win

Texas State scored four unanswered runs along with a twelve strikeout performance by starting pitcher Tori McCann to defeat the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 4-3.

The Bobcats improved their record to 24-14-1 overall with a 5-4-1 conference record.

Following a scoreless first inning, Southern Miss put a runner on base with a one out single.

The Golden Eagles capitalized on a Texas State throwing error allowing the runner to score all the way from first base, as Southern Miss took a 1-0 lead.

With the Bobcats looking to respond, Southern Miss snuffed out Texas State with a 1-2-3 inning as both teams headed into the third.

The Texas State defense rebounded from the error- filled second inning with a flawless 1-2-3 inning of their own, as the Bobcats kept the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard with the deficit still at 1-0 ending on a Tori McCann strikeout.

The Bobcat offense continued to have their struggles at the plate falling in order for the second straight inning as Southern Miss held on to their 1-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles struck back in the fourth inning as a solo home run towards left field tacked on another run as Southern Miss led 2-0.

McCann responded back following the home run to deliver back to back strikeouts to keep the deficit at 2-0 as Texas State went into the bottom of the fourth.

Facing one out, third baseman Sara Vanderford broke up the no hitter with a single towards the shortstop to put a runner on first.

Right fielder Anna Jones followed up Vanderford with a single of her own, putting the ball in center field to give the Bobcats runners on first and second with one out.

Catcher Karmyn Bass moved the runners to second and third to put Texas State in a scoring opportunity despite two outs.

On the next at-bat, first baseman JJ Smith forced a walk to load bases for the Bobcats with two outs.

Second baseman Katarina Zarate scored the first run for the Bobcats by forcing the walk and cutting the deficit to 2-1.

But the Bobcats could not bring home anymore runs as a groundout ended the inning and the Golden Eagles kept their lead at 2-1.

McCann again put together another spectacular inning seating the Southern Miss batters in order once more to keep the deficit at 2-1.

Left fielder Sydney Harvey drew the lead off walk for the Bobcats to give Texas State a runner on first on with no outs.

Shortstop Hannah Earls then laid down the bunt to not only move Harvey to second but also beating the throw to put runners on first and second with no outs.

Southern Miss was able to gain one out on the fielder’s choice but couldn’t get the double play to put runners on the corners.

Center fielder Piper Randolph then stole second base to avoid the double to put the Bobcats runners on second and third with one out.

Vanderford proceeded to hit the sac fly to score Harvey as Texas State tied the game up at 2-2.

Randolph then took third base on the dropped ball by the catcher but was unable to score a groundout ended the inning.

Southern Miss responded with a one out triple in the top of the sixth inning to put a runner in scoring position.

Despite allowing a walk on the next at bat, Mc-Cann struck out the following batter to give the Bobcats two outs.

McCann ended the inning with her ninth strikeout of the game to strand the runners on the corners and keep the game tied at 2-2.

The Bobcats kicked off the sixth inning with a leadoff single by Bass representing the game winning run.

Following a groundout, Zarate hit a one out double towards right field to move the runners to second and third with one out.

Designated player Claire Ginder broke the game open with a 2-run RBI single up the middle to give Texas State their first lead of the game at 4-2 with Ginder moving to second.

Though Southern Miss ended the inning with a groundout and a strikeout, the damage was already done as the Bobcats now held the lead at 4-2.

Despite facing two outs in the top of the 7th inning, Southern Miss scored a one run with a RBI single up to middle to cut the lead down to 4-3 with runners on first and second.

However, McCann delivered her 12th strikeout of the game as the Bobcats held on to take he 4-3 win.

Texas State finishes up their series with Southern Miss with the second game of the double at time of press.