May 11, 2007

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE - Leah Boatright hit a two-run homer to deep left as part of three Bobcat runs in the third inning as No. 3 seed Texas State (31-25) eliminated No. 6 seed Nicholls State (27-28) 4-2 to close out day two action at the Southland Conference Softball Tournament.

Jetta Weinheimer also hit a solo home run, and Ragan Blake allowed one earned run while striking out eight batters to move the Bobcats to Championship Saturday where they will face No. 2 seed Sam Houston State.

Weinheimer led off the second with her solo shot to left field, but the Bobcats blew the game wide open with three runs an inning later. Despite two outs, Karen Taylor singled to bring up Boatright, who sent Jessica Barksdale's pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer that made it 3-0. Weinheimer followed with a double down the right field line and came home on Alex Newton's RBI single to left.

The Lady Colonels came back with a run in the bottom half of the fourth after an error and single put runners on the corners. Taylor's throw on a stolen base attempt at second skipped into center field and scored Danielle Clayton, cutting Texas State's lead to 4-1.

An inning later Nicholls struck again on Amy Thibodaux's RBI double to the gap in right center that scored Kathryn Harrell, but Blake (25-14) struck out five of the final eight batters she faced to shut the door on a Lady Colonel comeback.

Jessica Barksdale (6-9), who no-hit the `Cats during the regular season, took the loss after giving up four earned runs in 2.2 innings of work on six hits and two walks.

Texas State will take on SHSU at 1:30 p.m. but may have to beat the Bearkats twice to win the SLC Tournament title. SHSU and No. 1 seed Texas-Arlington play at 11 a.m., with the loser taking on the Bobcats.

All Bobcat games will be broadcast online and available for free listening at txstatebobcats.com.