SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Bobcats (30-9) defeated the Bears (19-13) 6-1 behind a strong performance from Jessica Mullins and Maddy Azua.
Mullins got out of a jam as the Bears loaded up the bases in the top of the first inning, but the Bobcats lost Ciara Trahan early in the inning when she went to make a catch on a pop up and appeared to suffer a left knee injury.
The Bobcats would score in the bottom of the first inning to jump out ahead early.
Hannah Earls got a leadoff single to get things going for the Bobcats. After a Sydney Harvey strikeout and Piper Randolph walk, Sara Vanderford came up to the plate looking to add on to her 171 career RBI’s. She did just that as she hit a single up the middle that drove in Earls and moved Randolph to second base. Next, Anna Jones singled to the left side to load up the bases for the Bobcats. Karmyn Bass then singled up the middle to drive in Randolph and Vanderford, but Jones was caught in between second and third base for the second out of the inning. JJ Smith would pop up to end the inning and the Bobcats were ahead 3-0 after one inning of play.
Neither team would score again until the Bobcats got on the board again in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Randolph and Vanderford both singled to start the inning to put runners in the corners for the Bobcats. Vanderford stole second base and then Jones flied out. After a Bass walk, Smith would single to drive in Randolph and Vanderford while moving Bass to third base. Katarina Zarate popped up for the second out of the inning and then Bass would score on a wild pitch. Emilee Baker grounded out to end the inning and the Bobcats led 6-0 after six innings of play.
The Bears were able to score in the top of the seventh inning, but it was not enough to overcome the Bobcats lead.
Maddy Azua entered the game in the fifth inning and went out to the mound in the top of the seventh looking to close out the game. After getting Zadie LaValley to line out she struck out Ana Watson, but the ball got away from catcher Megan Kelnar and she made it safely to first base. Emily Hott struck out next and the Bobcats were one out away from a shutout win. Presleigh Pilon hit a first pitch single to right field to give the Bears two base runners. Shaylon Govan would then single through the left to drive in Watson while Pilon moved to second base. This would be the Bears lone run as Abi Flores flied out next to end the game. The Bobcats walked away with a 6-1 victory, and it was their first victory over the Bears in San Marcos since April 12, 2017.
Next up: The Bobcats begin a three-game series against the Troy Trojans on Friday, April 5th in San Marcos at Bobcats Softball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm (CT).
Game Notes
•Jessica Mullins improved to 19-4 on the season and finished with 5 strikeouts, allowed 1 hit and 0 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.
•Maddy Azua entered the game to start the 5th inning and finished with 2 strikeouts, allowed 3 hits and 1 earned run in 3 innings pitched.
•Karmyn Bass and JJ Smith each had 1 hit and 2 RBI’s, Sara Vanderford had 2 hits, 1 RBI and a stolen base, Hannah Earls had 2 hits and a stolen base, and Sydney Harvey, Piper Randolph, and Anna Jones each had 1 hit for the Bobcats.
•Hannah Earls stolen base gave her 74 career stolen bases, which is currently third all time, and trails Haley Gaddis (79) and Kristen Zaleski (128) on the all-time career list.
•Ciara Trahan was injured early in the first inning with an apparent knee injury and did not return to the game. She was later seen sitting in the Bobcats dugout, however, no official update on her status has been provided as of this writing.
•The Bobcats improved to 26-0 when scoring 3 or more runs and they are now 25-2 in games where they score first this season.
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!
Bobcats Insider 
Leave a comment