The Bobcats (26-7) are set to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats (12-19) in Huntsville, Texas for a one game series on Tuesday, March 26th at 5pm (CT).

These teams have played each other a total of 112 times with the Bobcats leading the series 64-48 and they are currently on a five-game winning streak against the Bearkats. The last time these two teams met was earlier this year on February 15 and the Bobcats walked away with a 10-0 run rule win in five innings at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

The Bobcat’s pitching staff is led by their Ace pitcher Jessica Mullins who is 16-3 this season with an ERA of 0.83 and 112 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. Maddy Azua (5-3, 2.01 ERA, 42 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched) and Karsen Pierce (2-1, 1.84 ERA, 18 strike outs in 26.2 innings pitched) are also part of the regular rotation for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats are led offensively by Sara Vanderford who is hitting .351 with 25 RBI’s (team high), 34 hits, and a team leading 5 home runs. Other Bobcats to highlight are Karmyn Bass (.258, 23 RBI’s, and 25 hits), Ciara Trahan (.317, 13 RBI’s, and 32 hits), Hannah Earls (.363, 41 hits, 5 RBI’s and 23 runs scored), Anna Jones (.333, 18 RBI’s, 28 hits, and 1 home run), Piper Randolph (.320, 17 RBI’s, 21 hits, and 2 home runs), and JJ Smith (.237, 19 RBI’s, 18 hits, and 4 home runs.

The Bearkats are coached by head coach Garrett Valis who has coached the team since the 2019 season and was the assistant coach from 2016 until 2018. With the Bearkats he has an overall record of 112-164 prior to this game. Coach Valis was a volunteer assistant coach with Texas State in 2009 and also has a master’s degree in physical education from Texas State as well.

The pitching staff for the Bearkats is led by Amy Abke who is 5-4 on the season with an ERA of 3.86 and has 36 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched. Daryn Grams (2-3, 4.27 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched) Abigail Young (3-5, 5.50 ERA, 29 strike outs in 54 innings pitched), and Mika Vento (2-7, 6.55 ERA, 32 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched) round out the rest of the pitching rotation for the Bearkats.

The Bearkats are led offensively by Tricia Yarotsky who is hitting .294 with 18 RBI’s, 20 hits, and 6 home runs. Other Bearkats to highlight are Ellie Grill (.308, 11 RBI’s, 33 hits, and 3 home runs), Elia Hebel (.284, 15 RBI’s, 23 hits, and 2 home runs), and Morgan Holliday (.293, 12 RBI’s, 22 hits, and 2 home runs) to name a few.

Gameday Notes:
•Vandy Homer Watch: Sara Vanderford has 34 career home runs and trails Ariel Ortiz, who has 39, for all-time leader.
•Vandy RBI Watch: Vanderford has 164 career RBI’s and is tied with Ariel Ortiz for all-time career leader.
•Hannah Earls has 73 career stolen bases, which is currently third all time, and trails Haley Gaddis (79) and Kristen Zaleski (128) on the all-time career list.
•The Bobcats are 23-0 this season in games where they score 3 or more runs and they are 3-7 in games where they score 2 or less runs. In games where they score first, they are 21-2.
•The Bobcats are 4-1 in traditional away games, and they are 7-1 at neutral sites for a combined record of 11-2 when they play outside of Bobcat Softball Stadium.