The Bobcats Start the Weekend off Right Against Coastal Carolina

By Ian Graffunder 

KTSW Sports Reporter 

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State Bobcats hosted the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Friday evening. The Bobcats were able to get the job done in a 5-4 win that came down to a strong pitching performance, as well as a couple clutch hits. 

Texas State’s ace Maddy Azua pitched a complete game and picked up her 22nd win of the season, putting her in a tie for fifth place in the nation for wins. With seven innings getting added to her total, Azua hit the 200 inning mark for the first time in her collegiate career. The Junior Ace also added nine strikeouts to her season total to 202, which puts her fifth in the nation. 

After the game Coach Woodard was asked about her confidence in Azua even in close games. 

“I think the biggest thing for Maddy is that she’s a big gamer you know? So as the game went on, you knew she was going to get better. So I knew we were going to get to the seventh inning and have the top of their lineup up and I knew that’s when she would be at her best and it was right on the money.” 

The Bobcats started the game off down 2-0 after the top of the first after Coastal Carolina was able to take advantage of a couple early hits. Azua shut down the Coastal offense after that, only allowing two more runs.With one of them being unearned on an error. 

Sami Hood hit a huge game tying Two-Run Home Run in the fourth inning, driving in Megan Kelnar who had gotten on via an infield single. Hood was able to get a hold of a fastball and send it out to left field for her seventh of the year off of Coastal Carolina’s Savannah Jones. 

After the game, Sami Hood was asked about the Home Run and what she saw on the pitch. 

“I was sitting a change, and I think it helped me be on time for the hard pitch because I’m always early on everything.” 

Hood was also asked about how electric the atmosphere was after tying the game with the big hit. 

“I did everything for them, nothing is for me. With senior weekend we’re trying to go out with a bang and coach told us to play with purpose today, and my purpose was that.” 

The Bobcats were then able to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after Harley Vestal scored on a passed ball by Reagan Troy of Coastal Carolina. 

Azua then struck out four of the last six outs to close the game in favor of the Bobcats to seal the victory in the first game of the weekend series. 

Coastal Carolina used five pitchers to Texas State’s one. Coach Woodard had input about the use of their pitching staff in the game. 

“I think that’s huge. Being able to go seven against an offense like that is huge for us right now.” 

Texas State and Coastal Carolina will play the second game of the series on Saturday the 25th at 2pm in San Marcos at Bobcat Softball Stadium. The Bobcats hope to secure the second game of a three game set to win the series before Sunday’s matchup to close the home portion of the season for the Bobcats.