The Texas State Bobcats (32-10, 9-3 SBC) will play a crucial three-game Sun Belt Conference series with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (27-13, 12-0 SBC) at Bobcats Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas from Friday, April 12th through Sunday, April 14th. The first pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6pm (CT) and the entire series will be streamed on ESPN+ (Subscription required).

These two teams have played each other a total of 54 times with the Ragin’ Cajuns ahead in the series. 46-8. The last time they played each other was in the 2023 Sun Belt Conference tournament where the Ragin’ Cajuns walked away with a 4-1 victory in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns are currently on a six-game winning streak against the Bobcats and the last time the Bobcats defeated them was on April 3, 2022, in a game where the Bobcats won by a score of 5-4 in San Marcos.

The Bobcat’s pitching staff is led by their Ace pitcher Jessica Mullins who is 21-5 this season with an ERA of 0.93 and 155 strikeouts in 166 innings pitched. Maddy Azua (6-4, 2.10 ERA, 53 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched) and Karsen Pierce (2-1, 2.02 ERA, 19 strike outs in 27.2 innings pitched) are also part of the regular rotation for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats are led offensively by Sara Vanderford who is hitting .350 with 34 RBI’s (team high), 43 hits, and 7 home runs. Other Bobcats to highlight are Karmyn Bass (.268, 30 RBI’s, and 33 hits), Hannah Earls (.384, 55 hits, 6 RBI’s and 30 runs scored), Anna Jones (.321, 22 RBI’s, 36 hits, and 2 home runs), Piper Randolph (.343, 23 RBI’s, 35 hits, and 2 home runs), and JJ Smith (.282, 30 RBI’s, 29 hits, and 7 home runs [tied with Vanderford for team lead]). Ciara Trahan (.339, 18 RBI’s, and 40 hits) is currently out for the season with a knee injury that she suffered on April 3rd.

Louisiana has five batters who are batting over .300 and they are led offensively by Brooke Ellestad who is batting .364 with 32 RBI’s, 39 hits, and 6 home runs, Mihyia Davis (.420, 58 hits, 8 RBI’s), Sam Roe (.330, 37 hits, 27 RBI’s, and 4 home runs), and Alexa Langeliers (.279, 29 hits, 27 RBI’s, and 6 home runs).

Defensively the Ragin’ Cajuns are led by junior pitcher Sam Landry who is 14-6 this season with an ERA of 2.33 with 107 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched. Sophomore pitcher Chole Riassetto (9-2, 2.59 ERA, 35 strikeouts in 75.2 innings) and Junior pitcher Lexie Delbrey (3-2, 3.94 ERA, 14 strikeouts in 26.2 innings) round out the pitching staff for Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns are ranked number one in the nation at turning double plays and they are the only team in the nation to turn 30+ of such plays.

Things To Watch:
•Vandy Homer Watch: Sara Vanderford has 36 career home runs and trails Ariel Ortiz, who has 39, for all-time career leader.
•Hannah Earls has 76 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 18-6 at home this season, and they are 9-3 in Sun Belt Conference play.
•The Bobcats are 28-2 this season in games where they score 3 or more runs and they are 4-8 in games where they score 2 or less runs. In games where they score first, they are 27-2.
•Louisiana is currently in first place in the Sun Belt Conference standings while the Bobcats are in second.

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!