Bobcats fall to Cal State Fullerton, forced to fight off elimination

One mistake cost Texas State against California State Fullerton in Friday’s opening game of the Los Angeles Regional. 

In a 1-1 game with two outs in the top of fifth inning and Titan runners on second and third, Cal State Fullerton center fielder Ari Williams popped a ball up. 

Texas State sophomore catcher Haleigh Davis and senior pitcher Randi Rupp both tried to make a play on the ball. Davis made the catch, but Rupp collided with her teammate and the ball fell out of Davis’ glove. The Titan runner scored to put them ahead 2-1. 

It was all Cal State Fullerton needed. The Titans took the game, 2-1, over the Bobcats to send Texas State into the loser’s side of the L.A. bracket. 

The Bobcats (42-15, 18-5 Sun Belt) jumped in front of the Titans (34-23, 18-3 Big West) early in Friday's game. Sophomore third base Bailee Carter was hit by a pitch to start Texas State’s second-inning threat. Left fielder Mari Cranek put down a bunt to move Carter to second. Carter hit an RBI single to score Carter and give the Bobcats a 1-0 advantage. 

Texas State held strong until the fifth inning. Cal State Fullerton began the top of the fifth with a double by catcher Julia Valenzuela. She moved to third off a groundout and was scored by an RBI single by Brooke Clemetson. The Titans added a runner off an infield single by left fielder Sammie Vandiver. A wild pitch put both runners in scoring position. 

The miscommunication by Rupp and Davis on Williams’ pop-up allowed the Titans to take their first lead of the game at 2-1. 

Texas State had multiple opportunities to try and even the score. The Bobcats placed runners on base in all each of their three final at bats. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Arieann Bell drew a walk to give Texas State to an opportunity to tie the game. Sophomore first base Hailey MacKay ripped a ball with two outs, but it caromed off Titan shortstop Shianne Brannan right to second base Sam Kennedy, who recorded a force out at second to end the game. 

Rupp took the loss in the circle for the Bobcats despite a solid outing. She threw a complete game and recorded seven strikeouts and no walks, while allowing two runs. 

Texas State plays Sacramento State in an elimination game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. inside Easton Stadium on UCLA’s campus. If the Bobcats defeat the Hornets, Texas State will take on the loser of UCLA and Cal State Fullerton.