May 6th, 2013
Bobcats go to WAC softball tourney as No. 4 seed

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STAFF REPORT

Texas State clinched a berth in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) softball tournament last Friday with two wins at Utah State and will go to the tournament at Louisiana Tech as the No. 4 seed out of six teams.

Ashley Wright notched a win for Texas State during the weekend at Utah State. TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS PHOTOS

The weekend began with the Bobcats tied for third place with Texas-San Antonio (UTSA), Louisiana Tech and Seattle, all with eight wins, while Texas-Arlington (UTA) sat with six wins hoping to knock off one of those teams to sneak into the tournament.

When the Bobcats swept at Utah State while Louisiana Tech swept Seattle on the same night, the Bobcats were in. All that was left to decide were the last two spots. They went to UTA and UTSA, which split a double header on Saturday, while the Bobcats lost their regular season finale at Utah State and Louisiana State notched another win against Seattle.

There also was high drama during the final weekend of the regular season at the top of the standings, where San Jose State swept a three-game series from New Mexico State and sneaked past the Aggies for the regular season championship. San Jose State is 17-4 in the league, followed by New Mexico State at 16-5.

The Bobcats are 10-11 in the WAC and 16-36 overall. Utah State finished its season 5-16 in the league and 11-43 overall.

Texas State decided the opener last Friday at Utah State easily, scoring in every inning of a 14-0, five-inning contest ended by run rule. Anna Hernandez went four-for-four, raising her average to .288 after a season low of .204 on March 16. During her rise, Martinez batted .351 (26 for 74). Brooke Baker had four RBI for the Bobcats. Rayn House allowed two hits in five innings, improving her record to 7-16.

The Bobcats needed a dramatic finish to take the nightcap, 9-8, breaking an 8-8 tie in the seventh inning. They received help from the last-place Aggies, who issued two walks and a passed ball to put runners on second and third with one out before Hernandez reached on an infield error, allowing Haley Lemons to score the lead run from third base. Ashley Wright set down Utah State in order in the bottom of the seventh for the win, improving her mark to 8-13. Coralee Ramirez had three RBI in the game for Texas State.

Utah State took the Saturday finale, 5-2. Courtney Harris had two hits and two RBI for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats will play UTSA in the WAC Tournament opener Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The winner will play top-seeded San Jose State in the winner’s bracket at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The loser will play the second-round loser from the opposite bracket Thursday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the loser’s bracket.

The Bobcats lost the three games they played against UTSA at home on March 22-23. UTSA is 9-12 and 26-24.