SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Bobcats (25-7) picked up a 10-0 run rule victory over the App State Mountaineers (15-12) to improve their winning streak to three games. They still have one more game to play in this series tomorrow, but regardless of the outcome the Bobcats have clinched the series.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Bobcats held the Mountaineers at bay after they were able to get two base runners in the top of the second inning before jumping out in front in the bottom half of the inning.
Karmyn Bass got a leadoff single and then JJ Smith was walked followed by Katarina Zarate getting hit by a pitch to load up the bases for the Bobcats. Emilee Baker hit a single to drive in Bass and advance Smith to third and Zarate to second. Sydney Harvey hit the ball back to the pitcher, but the ball bounced off of her glove and this allowed Smith and Zarate to score and moved Baker to third. After a Hannah Earls and Ciara Trahan groundout and pop out Baker would score on a wild pitch while Harvey advanced to third base. Next, Piper Randolph hit a single to left field that brought in Harvey. Sara Vanderford would then single up the middle to move Randolph to second base. After a pitching change for the Mountaineers Bass came up to bat for the second time in the inning and would hit a single to drive in Randolph. A groundout from Smith would end the inning but the Bobcats jumped out to a six-run lead after two innings.
The Mountaineers went down in order in the top of the third and the Bobcats wasted no time adding onto their lead. Zarate got a leadoff ground-rule double to get things going for the Bobcats. After a Baker fly out, Harvey bunted and moved Zarate to third. Harvey stole second base and then Earls was walked to load the bases for the Bobcats once again. Trahan would hit a sac-fly to right field to drive in Zarate and move Harvey to third base. Randolph doubled up the middle and brought home Harvey and Earls and then Vanderford hit a double of her own to drive in Randolph. Bass would reach on an error by the Mountaineers and the error also allowed Vanderford to score. Smith would end the inning after popping out and the Bobcats lead was now 11.
This would prove to be the final score as the Bobcats held the Mountaineers scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings to earn a run rule victory and pick up a second win over the Mountaineers in as many days.
These two teams will play the series finale tomorrow (March 24) at 12pm (CT) and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (Subscription required).
Game Notes:
•Maddy Azua improved to 5-3 on the season and finished with 3 strikeouts, zero earned runs, and allowed 4 hits in 4 innings pitched.
•Presley Glende entered the game in the fifth inning and finished with 1 strikeout, zero earned runs, and allowed 1 hit in 1 inning pitched.
•Piper Randolph had 3 hits (1 double) and 2 RBI’s, Sydney Harvey had 2 hits and 2 RBI’s, Sara Vanderford (1 double) and Karmyn Bass each had 2 hits and 1 RBI, Emilee Baker had 1 hit and 1 RBI, Katarina Zarate had 1 hit (double), and Ciara Trahan had the other RBI for the Bobcats.
•Sara Vanderford had 1 RBI and this tied her for the career all-time RBI leader in Bobcats history with Ariel Ortiz.
•The Bobcats improved to 23-0 when scoring 3 or more runs and they are 20-2 in games where they score first this season.
•The Bobcats are now 4-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Our cover photo for this article is used courtesy of Peter Vives and you can follow him on Instagram by clicking here. Thank you, Pete!
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