SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Bobcats (18-6) picked up a 5-2 win over the Nittany Lions (15-4) as Jessica Mullins picks up her tenth win of the season.

In the first two and a half innings of the game, both teams failed to score. However, the Bobcats broke the deadlock after loading the bases with singles from JJ Smith, Katarina Zarate, and Megan Kelnar. The next batter, Hannah Earls, hit a single that drove in Kamden Hutton, who was pinch running for Smith, but Zarate was out at third. Sara Vanderford was walked after a pop-up by Ciara Trahan, which loaded the bases once again. Anna Jones then hit a single, and a throwing error cleared the bases, increasing the Bobcats’ lead to 4-0 after three innings of play.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Nittany Lions managed to score a run thanks to a leadoff double from Maddie Gordon. A fielding error by the Bobcats allowed her to score two batters later. However, the Bobcats quickly answered back, with a leadoff single from Piper Randolph followed by a Smith double that brought her home, extending their lead to four runs again. After four innings, the Bobcats were leading 5-1.

In the fifth inning, neither team scored. However, in the sixth inning, the Nittany Lions managed to score another run after Gordon hit a leadoff double, and Gianna Poletti brought her home with a single three batters later. Despite their effort, the Nittany Lions were still trailing 5-2 by the end of the inning, and this proved to be the final score.

After the game Coach Woodard said, “The biggest thing for us is anyone in the lineup can go, you just don’t know. You can’t defend us because it’s everybody. One through nine can go.”

The Bobcats and Nittany Lions will play a doubleheader tomorrow with the first game at 4pm and the second game scheduled for 6:30pm.

Game Notes
•Jessica Mullins improved to 10-2 on the season and pitched a full game with 7 strikeouts and 1 earned run. The win gives her 79 for her career and she is now one win shy of tying Chandler Hall for third in career wins for the Bobcats.
•Anna Jones finished the game with 2 hits and 2 RBI’s in 3 at bats, Hannah Earls finished with 1 hit and 1 RBI, while JJ Smith finished with 2 hits and 1 RBI.
•The Bobcats improved to 15-1 when they score first in their games this season and they improved to 9-5 at home.
•The Bobcats are now on a 4-game winning streak while the Nittany Lions have now dropped 3 in a row.