Texas State used a six-run seventh inning on Wednesday to leapfrog ahead of UTSA and take an 8-6 victory in San Antonio.
The Bobcats trailed 4-2 heading into the final frame of the game. Senior outfielder Mari Cranek and junior outfielder Christiana McDowell led off with singles. An error by the Roadrunners allowed Cranek to score and junior infielder Bailee Carter reach first base. McDowell and Carter both stole to move into scoring position and sophomore Tara Oltmann was walked, loading the bases with no outs.
Junior infielder Hailey MacKay moved everyone up a base by knocking in a single, tying the game at 4-4. Sophomore infielder ArieAnn Bell used a sacrifice fly to bring Carter home. Freshman pinch hitter Cassie Valdez drove in the team’s final runs with a double to center field, pushing the lead to 8-4. The visitors grounded out in their last two at-bats and looked to close out in the bottom of the frame.
The Bobcats put senior right-handed pitcher Krista Jacobs in the circle to start the inning. But Jacobs gave up a run in her third at-bat and head coach Ricci Woodard went back to sophomore starter Meagan King. The right-hander surrendered another run, but got the final outs of the game, sealing the 8-6 victory for the maroon and gold.
Valdez went 2-2 at the plate, batting in two runs. MacKay also picked up two RBIs, finish 2-4. King (13-8) earned the win, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out three in seven innings of work.
Texas State (21-17, 9-5 Sun Belt) will return to conference play on Friday when the team travels to Conway, South Carolina to take on Coastal Carolina (29-11, 9-6) at 3 p.m.
