TXST SOFTBALL
Texas State defeated Wichita State 5-0 using excellent two-out hitting to score all five of their runs.
The Bobcats and Head Coach Ricci Woodard improved their overall record to 19-6 overall.
“I just told [the team] I thought that’s one of the best games we’ve played overall all year,” Woodard said. “We pitched well, we hit well and we played good defense. It was a really clean game for us.”
After a scoreless first inning, the Bobcats scored their first runs of the game in the second inning.
Facing a runner on first and two outs, junior catcher Megan Kelnar connected with an RBI single before advancing to second on the throw home.
In the next at-bat, freshman Mayson Garrett hit an RBI double down the right field line, putting the Bobcats up 2-0.
Texas State later struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Facing two outs with a runner on first, junior center fielder Keely Williams hit her first home run in a Bobcat uniform, crushing the two-run homer over the wall right field to extend the lead 4-0.
“I just saw [the pitch] middle in,” WIlliams said. “My approach is generally to look away and attack. But they were throwing me all inside, and I was like ‘Let’s go.’” In the next at-bat, junior first baseman Aiyana Coleman hit a home run of her own, extending the lead to 5-0.
The Bobcats’ two-out hitting was a sign in the right direction for Woodard’s team who struggled early in the season with batting while facing two outs.
“It’s starting to show a sign of maturity,” Woodard said. “It’s one of the things we talked about earlier in the year that we weren’t very good with two outs. There’s no excuse; we’re too good.
It’s just showing a sign of maturity on what we’re trying to do to develop.”
For Williams, the Bobcats two-out hitting is crucial for a team looking to repeat as Sun Belt Conference champions.
“It means everything,” Williams said. “The goal is to win, so every time we’re at bat, we need to focus in. Every pitch matters, so getting that perfect swing and that perfect pitch is everything.”
While the offense was putting up runs, the Bobcat defense was preventing the Wichita State offense from getting on the scoreboard.
Junior starting pitcher Emma Strood earned her eighth win of the season, throwing five innings and allowing just two hits, no earned runs, no walks while striking out two batters.
After a rough weekend against App State, Woodard was proud of the junior for being able to bounce back and refocus.
“I thought Emma Strood did a great job of coming back after not having a great weekend.” Woodard said “Throwing the ball how she wanted to and the way she wanted to. She worked yesterday, her and Josh, going into the bullpen, really worked at it. And it paid off. I thought she was lights out tonight.”
Sophomore pitcher Madison Azua came in the final two innings to seal the win and the shutout victory.
Texas State will be on the road for their weekend road series against Coastal Carolina.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
