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`Cats Win Extra-Inning Affair 2-1 in Eight
April 20, 2008 NACOGDOCHES - McKenzie Baack and Leah Boatright smashed back-to-back doubles in the top of the eighth inning to reclaim the lead for Texas State as the Bobcats won 2-1 in extra innings to avoid a series sweep against Stephen F. Austin. The Ladyjacks (30-18, 16-7 SLC) tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Kim Daley led off with a homer to center field, but the `Cats bounced back with their run in the top of the eighth. The Ladyjacks had another attempt to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning after a single and walk with one out, but Texas State starter Ragan Blake forced Ashley Struchtemeyer to groundout before striking out Moriah Davis to end the game. After a scoreless first inning, the Bobcats broke open the game with a two-out rally in the top of the second. Jenna Emery was hit by a pitch on a 1-1 count but was ruled to have not made an effort to avoid the ball, resulting in a ball instead of being awarded first base. Emery regrouped by lining a double into the left field corner two pitches later, and Ashton Peters picked up an RBI for the second straight game to give the `Cats a 1-0 lead. SFA had opportunities to tie the game in the both the fourth and fifth. In the fourth, Briana Bishop's single up the middle put runners on first and second with one out, but Blake bounced back by striking out Struchtemeyer for the second out. Davis came up and hit a sharp grounder to short, but Alex Newton dove and kept the ball in the infield, preventing a run from scoring. With the bases loaded, Blake struck Daley out looking to end the threat. An inning later, Blake again found herself in a tight spot when Monica Hirsch doubled to lead off the inning. When Kendal Harper laid down a bunt with one out, Emery's throw to first hit Harper in the back. Hirsch broke for home, but Ryan Kos fired a throw to Peters, who tagged out Hirsch.
Texas State also had chances to add to their lead, but Ladyjack starter Monica Covington avoided trouble until the eighth inning when Baack scored the eventual game-winner. Blake (15-9) went the full eight innings, allowing one run on eight hits and three walks with six strikeouts. Covington (16-9) took the loss for SFA, striking out 12 and walking none in eight innings while allowing two earned runs on nine hits. Texas State returns to action Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. when the Bobcats travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M. |
