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Texas State Drops Finale To Sam Houston, 3-0
April 22, 2007
HUNTSVILLE - Texas State stranded a runner in scoring position three times, including with the bases loaded in the fifth, as the Bobcats fell 3-0 in the rubber match at Sam Houston State on Sunday. Alex Newton went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases in the loss, but the offense failed to break through on the scoreboard. The loss keeps Texas State in fourth place in the SLC standings with a 25-21 overall record and 14-10 conference mark. Sam Houston State improved to 27-20 overall and 14-7 in the SLC. A Newton double in the second with two outs put the `Cats in early position to score, but SHSU starter Brandi Crnkovic escaped the jam unscathed by getting Tamara Keller to pop out to shortstop. The Bearkats then went on the offensive an inning later, scoring three runs off Bobcat starter Ragan Blake. After a walk and single started the inning, Casey Everitt delivered a two-run single to left field. Stephanie Mosley followed with a walk, prompting Texas State head coach Ricci Woodard to pull Blake in favor of Elizabeth Dennis. Dennis immediately gave up a single to Sarah Parich to plate Everitt, but a great relay throw from Newton nailed Mosley at the plate to end the inning. Texas State put runners in scoring position in the fourth when Newton followed a two-out Ashton Peters single with one of her own before stealing second to advance into scoring position. Crnkovic again worked out of the two-out jam, striking out Keller to end the threat.
Bobcat bats continued to stay hot in the fifth when Ryan Kos led off with a double and went to third on a single by Amy Krueger to put runners on the corner with nobody out. Things changed quickly as Kos was picked off of third for the first out in what proved to be a huge play. Kristina Tello singled on the next pitch to move Krueger to third as Kos' pick off proved costly. Karen Taylor then walked to load the bases, but Morgan Mikulin came on in relief to strike out Lacey Duncan and induce a ground out by Jetta Weinheimer to keep Texas State off the scoreboard. The Bobcats would fail to seriously threaten again, as Sam Houston State held on for the 3-0 win. Crnkovic went 4.1 innings for the win, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out four to improve to 12-9. Mikulin earned her fourth save of the season with 2.2 strong innings of relief. Blake also went 2.2 innings in the loss to drop to 20-12, giving up three earned runs on two hits and two walks. The SLC strikeout leader recorded zero punchouts in the game, marking the first time all season she failed to record a strike out in a start. Dennis pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing five hits. Texas State will return to action on Wednesday by stepping out of conference to play No. 7 Baylor. The Bears mark the third ranked opponent from the Big 12 and fifth overall from the conference to come to San Marcos. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. |
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