Bobcats take down Arizona State in blowout win

Texas State kicked off the Arizona State/Grand Canyon Tournament in emphatic fashion as the Bobcats dominated the Arizona State Sun Devils 12-2 in the ‘Cats opening game of the game tournament.

The win improves the Bobcats record to 9-4 overall and marks the second straight time Texas State has beaten a Power Five opponent by more than five runs with the ‘Cats beating Texas Tech last Sunday 8-1.

Texas State put pressure on the Sun Devils from the very start as outfielder Ciara Trahan and third baseman Sara Vanderford hit back-to-back singles to put runners on second and first with no outs.

Following a fielder’s choice that moved the runners to second and third base, Texas State took advantage of an Arizona State error as the throw to first on designated player Karmyn Bass’ infield single was overthrown. It allowed both Trahan and Vanderford to score while Bass moved to third base.

Bass scored on a RBI single by Piper Randolph to put the Bobcats up 3-0.

A scoreless second inning kept the game at 3-0 until the third inning.

There shortstop Anna Jones connected on a double down the left field line followed up by a Bass single to put runners on the corners.

Randolph came through for the Bobcats once more, hitting an RBI single up the middle to score Jones and put runners on second and first as Texas State extended the lead to 4-0.

First baseman J.J. Smith added another run for Texas State with another Bobcat single up the middle to score Bass.

Despite ending the inning on two strikeouts, the Bobcats were firmly in control up 5-0.

The Sun Devils got a run back on a solo home run into left field, but Texas State was ready to respond back.

Jones scored the Bobcats sixth run of the game with a sacrifice fly into left field to make it a 6-1 game.

Texas State was ready to do more damage in the top of the seventh as the Bobcats looked to add on to their lead.

A Smith single and a Randolph hit by pitch put runners on second and third with one out.

Randolph scored another run for Texas State, as catcher Megan Kelnar hit the sacrifice fly into right field to put the Bobcats up 7-1.

A fielding error by the Sun Devils allowed pinch runner Katie Hutton to score as the Bobcats had a runner on first with two outs up 8-1.

After a Trahan single, Vanderford hit a double down the right field line to score another run and move Trahan to third to put the Bobcats up 9-1.

A hard hit single by Jones scored Trahan and moved Vanderford to third as Texas State was now up 10-1.

A Bass single into center field combined with a Sun Devil throwing error scored two runs for the Bocbats as Texas State was now up 12-1.

Despite the Sun Devils tacking on another run in the bottom of the seventh, it wasn’t enough. The Bobcats ran through Arizona State for the 12-2 win.

In the circle, pitcher Jessica Mullins threw for 6.2 innings allowing just two runs on ten hits, one walk and throwing eight strikeouts.

Madison Azua closed out the game for the Bobcats getting the final out.

Texas State will be back in San Marcos Wednesday night in a highly anticipated showing with the Texas Longhorns.

First pitch is at 6 p.m.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc