Texas State sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning of its game against Georgia State on Friday inside Bobcat Softball Stadium. All but one of the at-bats advanced a runner.
Junior center fielder Christiana McDowell led off with a bunt for a single. Junior second base Bailee Carter reached on an error, sending McDowell to third. Sophomore shortstop Tara Oltmann grounded out next, but Carter moved into scoring position. Junior infielder Hailey MacKay was walked, loading the bases for the hosts.
A sacrifice fly from junior catcher Haleigh Davis brought McDowell home for the first run of the game. A single to left field by senior outfielder Kennedy Cline allowed Carter to turn two bases and pick up another score. Sophomore infielder ArieAnn Bell walked to first in the next trip to the plate and the Panthers switched pitchers. Freshman designated player Samara Lagway flied out to end the inning, with Texas State leading, 2-0.
The hot bats continued for the Bobcats throughout the rest of the game as they shut the visitors out, 5-0.
"We wanted to get the offense going early," head coach Ricci Woodard said. "We wanted to take advantage of playing with an early lead. We did that with two runs in the first inning. (Sophomore starting pitcher) Meagan (King) really spun the ball well and the defense was solid behind her."
King allowed just one hit and one walk in seven innings of work, striking out five in her sixth shutout of the season. McDowell and Oltmann led the team with two hits each. Lagway bounced back after flying out with a two-RBI double.
Texas State (17-15, 6-4 Sun Belt) played in the second game of its series against Georgia State (5-27, 3-7) on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game ended after press time. The Bobcats and Panthers are slated to conclude the series on Sunday at 11 a.m. inside Bobcat Softball Stadium.
