April 13, 2008

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Taylor Hall went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the offense while Ragan Blake pitched a two-hit shutout as Texas State softball (29-13, 19-2 SLC) completed a series sweep over Northwestern State (8-37, 4-20 SLC) on Sunday.

Texas State also set a season high with six stolen bases in the game, including a double steal in the second that led to the game's first run. Hall led off the inning with a single up the middle, advancing around to third on a sacrifice and Jill Kloesel's bunt single with two outs in the inning.

Kloesel broke for second, and Hall ran home as soon as Lady Demon catcher Leslie Johnson threw to second. By the time the ball arrived back home, Hall was safe to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.

Northwestern State looked to get the run back in the top of the third when Alex Newton dropped a throw to second on a fielder's choice, but Blake bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts to leave two runners stranded and preserve the 1-0 lead.

A chance to extend the lead in the fourth came up empty when Cassie Poncik robbed Kristina Tello of an RBI opportunity. Tello came up with runners on first and second and hit a hard grounder to short, but Poncik made a running backhanded grab and beat Allyce Rother to third for a force out. Newton followed with a single to load the bases, but Northwestern State starter Sarah Dornelas got McKenzie Baack to ground out and end the inning.

Blake (14-8) took care of the rest, retiring the final five batters in order and not allowing a hit after the third inning. She walked two and struck out seven for her sixth shutout of the season and second in her last three starts.

Dornelas (6-19) allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks in six innings of work to take the loss.

The Bobcats now travel to Stephen F. Austin in a battle between the top two teams in the conference standings. The `Cats and Ladyjacks will play a doubleheader beginning Saturday, Apr. 19, at 1 p.m.