University Star

The Texas State softball team took a break from conference play Wednesday to face the Texas-El Paso Miners in the Bobcats’ fourth consecutive home game.

UTEP scored two runs off a third inning homer to defeat Texas State 2-0.

UTEP went three up, three down in the first inning having two fly outs and a strikeout with Ryan Kos, senior second baseman, catching the ball in the outfield for the first out.

Chandler Hall, freshman pitcher, struck out Stacie Townsend, UTEP pitcher, swinging to record the third out of the first inning.

Neither team put runners on bases in the first two innings until Diana Parada, UTEP shortstop, reached first after receiving ball four from Hall.

The next UTEP batter sent the ball out of the park for a two-run homer to put the Miners up 2-0 in the third inning.

“After the home run, I still stayed in the zone and just kept pitching my game,” Hall said.

Kristina Tello, junior centerfielder, was the first Bobcat to get on base in the bottom of the third inning, reaching first base off a bunt.
Alex Newton, senior shortstop, also put down a bunt following Tello, but was called out because the ball hit her. UTEP led at the end of the third inning 2-0.

Townsend reached first base from a hit to left field in the top of the fourth inning followed by Shea Lodes, UTEP catcher, who hit the ball past Kos to reach first. However, the Miners were unable to put more points on the board.

Texas State finished the inning quickly in the bottom of the fourth with Townsend striking out McKenzie Baack, sophomore utility, and Leah Boatright, junior first baseman. Hall popped up to shortstop.

Hall recorded her sixth strikeout of the game in the fifth inning with UTEP going three up, three down.

Jenna Emery, sophomore utlility, got her first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth with Shekia Knight, freshman outfielder, coming in to pinch run.

Kos advanced Knight to second base with a sacrifice bunt while Hall sent the ball to deep right field, advancing Knight to third.

Allyce Rother, sophomore outfielder, struck out on a full count pitch to end the inning with the score still 2-0 in favor of the Miners.

Newton sent the ball to left field to record the third hit for the Bobcats in the bottom of the sixth inning. Newton stole second base during a pitch to Baack.

Baack reached first base after receiving ball four to put runners on first and second for the Bobcats. Allison Snow, freshman first baseman, pinch hit for Boatright and left two runners on base after striking out to end the sixth inning.

The Bobcats had one more chance to pull ahead of the Miners. Emery reached first base off a walk to start the Bobcats off in the seventh inning.

Kos and Snow both struck out. Hall was called out and ended the game.

Hall had seven strikeouts and gave up four hits and two walks. Newton, Emery and Tello each recorded one hit for the Bobcats.

Texas State fell to 22-12 on the season while UTEP improved to 16-16 overall.

Texas State will play New Mexico 7 p.m. Friday in Albuquerque, N.M. The Lobos are currently 9-20 on the season.

“I think we just need to make an adjustment at the plate. That pitcher was pretty good. We need to start getting hits and making it happen,” Hall said.