SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Bobcats (31-8) picked up a 9-1 run rule victory over the Trojans (26-14) after another solid performance from Jessica Mullins and the Bobcats many offensive weapons.
After a scoreless first inning from both teams, the Bobcats were able to break the tie and get on the board in the bottom of the second inning.
JJ Smith got a leadoff home run, her fifth home run of the season, and gave the Bobcats a one-run lead. Katarina Zarate struck out and Megan Kelnar popped out next. Sydney Harvey would get a single after that but was caught attempting to steal second base while Hannah Earls was at bat. The Bobcats led 1-0 after two innings of play.
After holding the Trojans scoreless again in the top of the third inning the Bobcats would extend their lead some more in the bottom portion of the frame.
Earls got a leadoff single to get things going for the Bobcats and then stole second while Piper Randolph was at bat. Randolph would then lay down a sac-bunt to move Earls to third base. Sara Vanderford would then reach on a throwing error that allowed her to advance to second base and allowed Earls to score. Anna Jones then hit a 2-run home run to push the lead to four. After a pitching change for the Trojans, Karmyn Bass hit a double up the middle and would advance to third on a wild pitch during Smith’s at bat. Smith would then be walked, and Zarate reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed Bass to score. Dani Laughlin was pinch running for Smith and was called out at second on the play as well. Next, Bailee Welsh pinch hit for Kelnar and was walked. Harvey would then ground out to end the inning. The Bobcats were up 5-0 after three innings of play.
The Bobcats would once again hold the Trojans scoreless in the top of the fourth inning and would also extend their lead in the bottom portion of the frame again as well.
Just like the start of the bottom of the third inning, Earls got a leadoff single and would advance all the way to third base off of a throwing error by the Trojans. Randolph would ground out next, but Earls made it across home plate to extend the lead to six. After a Vanderford walk, Jones would reach on an error and would make it all the way to third base while Vanderford scored the seventh Bobcat run. Bass would single up the middle next and this allowed Jones to score to push the lead to eight. After another pitching change for the Trojans, Smith would single, Zarate flied out, and Kelnar grounded out to end the inning. The Bobcats lead 8-0 after four innings of play.
The Trojans would need to score to avoid getting run ruled in the top of the fifth inning. While they were able to do so, the Bobcats answered right back to earn the run rule victory.
In the top of the fifth inning the Trojans got a solo home run from Audra Thompson, but this would be the only run they would get.
Harvey would get a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Bobcats were back in business. Earls then singled and moved Harvey to second base. Randolph would reach on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error at third would allow Harvey to score to push the lead back to eight and end the game. The Bobcats picked up a 9-1 run rule win over the Trojans to begin the three-game series.
Game Notes
•Jessica Mullins improved to 20-4 on the season and finished with 3 strikeouts, allowed 1 hit and 0 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.
•Karsen Pierce entered the game to start the 5th inning and finished with 1 strikeout, allowed 1 hit and 1 earned run in 1 inning pitched.
•Anna Jones and Piper Randolph each had 1 hit and 2 RBI’s, Karmyn Bass and JJ Smith each had 2 hits and 1 RBI, Hannah Earls had 3 hits and a stolen base, Sydney Harvey had 2 hits, and Katarina Zarate had an RBI for the Bobcats.
•Hannah Earls stolen base gave her 75 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 improved to 27-0 when scoring 3 or more runs and they are now 26-2 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!
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