Texas State won both of their tournament games in shutout fashion, beating the Fordham Rams 8-0 in six innings before defeating the New Mexico Lobos 3-0.
The Bobcats and the Head Coach Ricci Woodard improved their record to 7-2 overall.
“If you don't give up any runs, it's gonna be easier just to win ball games,” Woodard said. “We did a pretty good job all the way around on the mound and defensively today. [Just] keeping ourselves in a spot to win ball games.”
The Bobcats struck first in the first inning against Fordham. Facing a 2-1 count, sophomore third baseman Kate Bubela connected with a solo homerun over the wall in center to put the Bobcats up 1-0. The homer was the first for Bubela in a Bobcat uniform.
Texas State added more runs in the third inning.
After junior centerfielder Keely Williams drew the two-out walk, junior first baseman Aiyana Coleman blasted a two-run homerun, extending the lead to 3-0.
“Confidence for me is key,” Coleman said. “ It's a big thing but I'd have to keep working out obviously all the time. [I’m] seeing the ball a lot better. It is helping me and just staying consistent.”
The offense later found their groove again in the sixth inning.
Texas State loaded up the bases with one out after Fordham committed back to back errors.
Freshman Melania Reeves scored the runner on third, hitting the ball up the middle for her first career hit and pushing the lead to 4-0.
The Bobcats again took advantage of another Fordham error as junior Karmyn Bass scored the run to extend the lead 5-0.
Junior right fielder Sydney Harvey hit a RBI single in the field, allowing the Bobcats to put pressure on Fordham now leading 6-0.
Freshman shortstop Erin Peterson sealed the win with a two-run RBI single in right field as the Bobcats defeated Fordham via the run-rule.
Starting pitcher Emma Strood earned her third win of the season, throwing a complete and allowing just two hits, no runs, one walk while striking out eight batters.
Texas State turned around to face New Mexico to close out the day.
Coleman struck again for the Bobcats, smashing a solo homer in center field to put Texas State up 1-0 over the Lobos in the second inning.
The bottom of the fifth inning saw the Bobcats add on to their lead.
After Reeves hit a leadoff triple, left fielder Ciara Trahan scored the freshman on the fielder’s choice and extended the lead to 2-0.
A forced walk by freshman second baseman Mayson Garrett put runners on first and second before the duo pulled off the double steal to move up a base.
Peterson hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Trahan to take home and add another run for the Bobcats.
In the sixth inning, New Mexico threatened to score.
The Lobos loaded up the bases despite the Bobcats getting two outs. On the first pitch, the Lobos belted a potential grand slam that would have given New Mexico the lead. However, Trahan ran to the wall and made the leaping catch before crashing into the wall to make the out and keep the Lobos off the score board.
Texas State sealed the win on a 1-2-3 defensive performance in the seventh to complete the 3-0 victory.
Sophomore starting pitcher Madison Azua threw a complete game, allowing just four hits, one walks, no earned runs and striking out eight batters.
The combination of Azua and Strood has been a successful one for the Bobcats with both pitchers earning three wins apiece.
“They spin the ball well and they attack the zone,” Woodard said. “When you can do those two things as a pitcher, you're gonna get a lot of outs.”
Texas State closes out the Bobcat Tournament against New Mexico tomorrow at 12:15 p.m.
