Bobcats sweep double header vs Missouri State behind pitching performances from Azua, Strood

By: Sparti Locklin

KTSW Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Starting pitching was nothing short of dominant for Texas State Friday evening as the Bobcats swept the doubleheader vs Missouri State 3-0, 9-0.

Madison Azua led the way in the circle for the Bobcats in game one going six scoreless innings allowing no runs on one hit while striking out seven batters en route to her seventh victory of the season. Ciara Trahan and Kate Bubela had back to back RBI triples to lead the Bobcats with the bats. 

In game two it was Emma Strood taking the lead in the circle going five scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out four while collecting her sixth win of the season. Aiyana Coleman led the way in the batters box in game two for the Bobcats going 3-3 and collecting six RBI’s. 

Bobcat head coach Ricci Woodard spoke about her team’s execution of timely hitting during the double header. 

“I think the biggest thing for us is getting timely hits, I think in too many games we leave too many baserunners on and it kind of sets the tone,” said Woodard. “ We’ve been talking a lot about doing a better job with two outs. Which tonight I thought we did a much better job hitting with two outs and getting some timely hits that we need to get early in games. 

Coach Woodard went on to talk about just how important the pitching staff is to this team

“I think that’s the best part of this whole group right now is we have a really good one two punch,” said Woodard. “ We also have some good kids who can get in there and give us innings if we need and a closer if we need to go to the closer.” 

Coach Woodard concluded by speaking on how the Bobcats bounced back after struggling in College Station last weekend. 

“I think we made ten errors on the weekend, just nothing really went our way and we weren’t playing good ball,” Said Woodard. What I liked that I saw tonight was just us doing a better job playing the game that we want to play day in and day out.” 

In game one, it was a pitchers duel through the first three innings with the Bobcats finally getting on the board in the bottom of the fourth with back to back RBI triples. Which was followed by a run scored on a throwing error to extend the lead to 3-0. That would be enough to secure a 3-0 win behind the dominant pitching of Madison Azua. 

In game two, the Bobcats got the scoring started in the second inning with RBI singles by Erin Peterson and Keeley Williams. Followed by a 2 RBI double by Ainyah Coleman. The Bobcats continued the scoring in the fourth with an Erin Peterson RBI single, followed by an Ainyah Coleman Grand Slam home run to break the game open with a score of 9-0. It was cruise control from there as the Bobcats went on to win 9-0 winning the series and sweeping the double header. 

This sweep improves the Bobcats record to 14-6 overall on the season. The Bobcats will wrap up the series with Missouri State Sunday March 9th at one’ o’clock PM before conference play kicks off next weekend with a series against Appalachian State University.