Late Inning Rally Lifts Texas State Softball To Victory Over Houston Baptist

HOUSTON – Late inning runs in the sixth and the seventh by the Texas State softball team lifted the Bobcats to a 2-1 victory over Houston Baptist Wednesday afternoon. The Bobcats improve to 24-15 overall and 5-8 on the road. The victory over HBU was the second win over the Southland Conference foe this season.

Texas State remains undefeated against Houston Baptist with an all-time record of 6-0.

The Huskies took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run by Shay Orsak.

After the home run in the bottom of the first, Jaelyn Young led off the second with a double to right center field. Young advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sara Rupp, but was stranded there as Houston Baptist then retired the Bobcats in order.

The first seven recorded outs by the Huskies were all strikeouts by Randi Rupp. Rupp finished the day with nine strikeouts which brings her season total up to 200.

Still trailing 1-0 to the Huskies in the top of the sixth, the Texas State offense started to make some noise. With one out, Corrina Liscano recorded a single through the left side. Two batters later, Sara Rupp hit a double to right center field to score Liscano and to tie the ball game up at 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and second and one out, Quincy Charleston came in relief for Rupp. Charleston promptly pitched into a double play to end the inning.

Tied at 1-1, Braegan Hamilton stepped in to pinch hit and she hit the fourth Bobcat double of the day to right center. An infield single by Kimberlin Naivar moved Hamilton to third and with runners on second and third with one out after Naivar stole second, Ariel Ortiz hit a deep ball to left field that scored the game-winning run.

Three straight strikeouts by Charleston in the bottom of the seventh secured her third victory of the season.

Texas State finished the day with six hits, four of which were doubles. The Bobcat pitching staff finished the game with 12 strikeouts.

The Bobcats will now take the next week off before returning home to host Lamar on April 13. First pitch against the Cardinals is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bobcat Softball Stadium. Live stats, live audio, and live video will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.