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Softball Earns Split With SFA
April 14, 2007
SAN MARCOS - Lacey Duncan's bases-loaded single on a full count broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the tenth as Texas State took game one of a doubleheader with Stephen F. Austin, but the Ladyjacks took advantage of four Bobcat errors in game two to earn a split with a 3-1 win on Saturday at Bobcat Field. Texas State moved to 22-19 on the season and 12-8 in the Southland with the split, while SFA's record settled at 17-24 overall and 10-7 in conference play. Ragan Blake gave up one earned run in 17 innings of work, striking out 18 batters total on the day, finishing the day at 17-10 on the year. The ten-inning marathon marked the longest game of the season by innings this season for the Bobcats and fell only two minutes shy of the mark for longest game of the year by time. Blake and SFA's Kari Hugie dueled for nine innings, with neither pitcher allowing a hit over the first four innings. The Ladyjacks did get runners on second and third in the second, but Blake got Hugie to foul out to end the inning. The Bobcats had a runner at third in the second and fourth innings, but failed to bring either home to keep the game scoreless. SFA missed two chances to score in the final two innings. In the ninth, a pair of errors by Tamara Keller led to runners on first and third with one out, but Blake struck out two batters in between a walk to escape without a run. With the international tie-breaker rule in effect in the tenth inning, Hugie reached on another error by Keller that advanced Chelsea Carr to third with nobody out. Alex Newton bailed out the Bobcats, catching a line drive by Kendall Harper and doubling up Carr on third. Blake's 11th strikeout ended the inning and gave Texas State a chance for the win. Jill Kloesel pinch ran at second to lead off the inning, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Keller. SFA head coach Jenifer Wells then decided to intentionally walk both Ryan Kos and Amy Krueger to load the bases with one out, and Duncan followed with her game-winning single to left field for the 1-0 win as Kloesel was mobbed at home plate in celebration.
Hugie fell to 8-10 after losing game one, pitching 9.1 innings and allowing an unearned run on two hits with eight walks. Blake went ten full innings, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out 11. The nightcap was no cause for joy from Bobcat fans though, as Texas State quickly fell down 2-0 after two innings. A Newton error allowed the first run in, and Ashley Wilburn helped her own cause in the second with an RBI single for the game's second run. The Bobcats got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Duncan singled up the middle. Tello was on second and scored easily when SFA's center fielder made an error fielding Duncan's base hit. SFA advanced its lead to 3-1 in the seventh when Keller made an error on a grounder down the third base line that kicked off her glove and into foul territory to allow another run in. Newton provided a glimmer of hope in the final inning, doubling into the left field corner after a Jetta Weinheimer walk to put the tying run at second. The rally ended a batter later when Keller grounded out to short for the game's final out. Wilburn went the distance for the win, giving up no earned runs while allowing five hits and walking two to improve to 8-11. Blake's line in game two finished with one earned run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. The series finale concludes on Sunday at noon. Live stats will not be available, but fans can listen for free at txstatebobcats.com as Bill Culhane will be calling the action via Stretch Internet. |
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