HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Bobcats (27-7) pulled off another comeback in the seventh inning for the second week in a row after producing three runs in the top of the inning to get a 6-4 win over the Sam Houston Bearkats (12-20).
The Bobcats wasted no time getting on the scoreboard early in the game. After a Hannah Earls groundout, Ciara Trahan hit a double down the left field line to give the Bobcats their first base runner of the game. Piper Randolph would bring her in after hitting a single into center field. Next, Sara Vanderford was walked and then Karmyn Bass hit a single to load up the bases. Anna Jones would then reach on a fielder’s choice, and this allowed Randolph to score while Vanderford was called out at third base. JJ Smith fouled out to end the inning with the Bobcats up 2-0.
The Bearkats did not score in the bottom of the first inning, but they responded in the bottom of the second inning after holding the Bobcats to no runs in the top of the inning. Brodie Quinlan hit a single to get things going for the Bearkats. Haleigh Carter would reach on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error by the Bobcats allowed Quinlan to reach second base safely. Allie Saville also reached on a fielder’s choice while Quinlan was called out trying to make it to third base and Carter made it safely to third base. Hannah Schaeffer was then hit by a pitch that went off to the side and allowed Carter to score and moved Saville to third and gave Schaeffer an extra base as she moved to second base. After a Kinsey Hobbs fly out, Ellie Grill singled through the right side to bring in Saville and Schaeffer. Next, Elia Hebel would reach on a fielding error that allowed her to make it safely to second base and allowed Grill to score. Tricia Yarotsky grounded out to end the inning, but the Bearkats had put up four runs to gain the lead 4-2 after two innings.
After a scoreless third inning for both teams, the Bobcats would cut into the lead in the in the top of the fourth inning. Katarina Zarate would get a leadoff single to put the Bobcats back in business. Megan Kelnar would reach first base on a fielder’s choice while Zarate was called out at second. After an Earls walk that moved Kelnar to second, Trahan hit a double to drive in a run. Randolph would strikeout and Vanderford would pop out to end the top half of the inning. After the Bobcats held the Bearkats scoreless in the bottom of the inning, they now trailed 4-3 after four innings of play.
Both teams would go scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings and then the Bobcats regained the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Randolph reached first base on a throwing error and Vanderford laid down a successful bunt to make it safe to first base and move Randolph to second base. Bass would then lay down a sac-bunt to move Randolph to third and Vanderford to second. After a Jones walk, Smith hit a sac-fly to right field that brought in Randolph to tie the game at 4 runs. Then, Zarate hit a single that brought in Vanderford and Jones to give the Bobcats a two-run lead. Emilee Baker grounded out to end the inning and the Bobcats led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jessica Mullins recorded the first out of the inning after getting Yarotsky to ground out and then walked Julia Herzinger. Freshman pitcher Maddy Azua would then replace her and struck out the next two batters to end the game and the Bobcats pulled off a comeback after being down one-run entering the seventh inning for the second week in a row.
Next up for the Bobcats: They will travel to Mobile, Alabama for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against South Alabama (17-12-1).
Game Notes:
•Jessica Mullins improved to 17-3 on the season and finished with 5 strikeouts, allowed 6 hits, and 1 earned run in 6.1 innings pitched.
•Maddy Azua finished with 2 strikeouts, 0 hits, and 0 earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched and picked up a save, her second of the season.
•Katarina Zarate had 2 hits and 2 RBI’s, Ciara Trahan had 2 hits and 1 RBI, Piper Randolph and Anna Jones each had 1 hit and 1 RBI, Karmyn Bass had 2 hits, Sara Vanderford and Emilee Baker each had 1 hit and JJ Smith had 1 RBI.
•The Bobcats improved to 24-0 in games where they score 3 or more runs and 22-2 in games where they score first this season.
•The Bobcats are now on a 5-game winning streak.
Our cover photo for this article is used courtesy of Mandalyn Lewallen and you can follow her on Instagram by clicking here. Thank you, Mandalyn!
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