The Bobcats Shutout No. 3 Texas Tech

By Solomon Nash 

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State hosted the number three team in the land Texas Tech for a midweek matchup where the Bobcats would put down last year’s World Series runner up 3-0. Maddy Azua would go the distance as she threw eighty pitches and allowed only five hits and would strike out four batters and would earn the shutout.  

It was a pitching masterclass through the first three innings as both teams would have their aces go at it with Nijaree Canady and Maddy Azua. Only one hit and was given up between the two after the first three innings. 

That would change in the bottom of the fourth as Aiyana Coleman crushed the softball 244 feet down the middle to give the Bobcats their first hit and run of the game.  

The Red Raiders would wake up the next inning and caused the Cats some trouble as Jackie Lis and Jasmyn Burns would each record a single to put two runners on base. Then the Raiders would load the bases after Desirae Spearman would be hit by a pitch, but they would all be left stranded after a ground out to end the top of the fifth inning.  

The Bobcats would keep their foot on the gas as Kate Bubela hit a double to left field and would advance a base after a wild pitch. Then she would get brought home after Megan Kelnar delivered a single past the shortstop to give the Cats a two run lead. 

Kelnar also would advance to second after a passed ball, and Sydney Harvey joined the party with her own single right after. Harvey would use a unique situation to bring the runner on third home after there was a throwing error on her attempt to steal, and she would survive the pickle long enough for the run to come and now the Bobcats lead was extended to three.  

The aces would get right back to work the final two innings as both allowed one more hit each and Azua would get her fourth strikeout to secure the final out for the Bobcats and earn the shutout at home.  

Megan Kelnar couldn’t contain her emotions when we spoke to her postgame.

“This is Great, I mean this is insane we beat both A&M and Tech this goes to show how tough of a team we are and how great we can play together” said Kelnar.

Kelnar and Coleman both had RBIs in this gave and Aiyana Coleman expressed how the team is feeling after the recent streak for the Bobcats.

“I think we’re on cloud nine right now this was a full team win and to be a part of this team is super special” said Coleman. 

We then spoke with Coach Woodard as she gave her thoughts on the upset.

“Well we caught them at the end of their long road trip, but I sure didn’t expect a shutout against this good of an offensive team” said Woodard.  

Coach Woodard shared that she actually asked the team before she scheduled Texas Tech and she claims she was surprised by the amount of yesses they gave her.  

With this win the Bobcats secured their 18th victory overall against the Red Raiders and would hand them their fourth loss this season. Coach Woodard shared what it meant to pick up the win in San Marcos.  

“The wins are fun because of the environment, and to be able to do this at home in front of Bobcat nation that’s what makes these wins more enjoyable for me” said Woodard. 

The Bobcats will stay at home as they host Southern Miss for a three game conference series this weekend with the first game scheduled for April 17th at 6 p.m.