SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Lamar University softball team surrendered four runs in the first two innings and that is all the offense Texas State needed to defeat the Cardinals, 4-0, Wednesday evening at the Texas State Softball Stadium.
 
The Cardinals (24-15) could manage only three hits as Texas State's Randi Rupp got the victory going five innings giving up just the two hits while striking out 10 batters. Laura Napoli got the start for Big Red in the circle but only lasted an inning-and-a-third before being pulled. Classmate Amie Cisneros came on in relief going 4.2 innings, surrendering no runs on three hits while striking out one.
 
Cisneros was able to shut down the Bobcats offense for the rest of the game but the damage had been done as the home team struck for three runs in the bottom of the first, and one more in the second.
 
Texas State scored its first run of the game when Corrina Liscano singled down the right field line to plate Kelli Baker from second base. After a walk to load the bases, the Bobcats' Jaelyn Young doubled down the right field line to score two more. Texas State took advantage of two LU errors in the second inning to plate the game's final run.
 
Ashley McDowell collected two of the team's three hits going 2-for-3 on the night, while Brittany Rodriguez was 1-of-3.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday to open a three-game series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Friday's game will get under way at 6 p.m. The two teams return to action Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. All three games will be played at the LU Softball Complex.
 
-LU CARDINALS-