Texas State softball takeaways: Bobcats bring home mixed results from first 5 games

Texas State softball kicked off its 2026 season with the Kajikawa Classic, going 3-2 in its first five games.

Texas State started Thursday with a comfortable 8-2 win over Toledo, and Friday, took on Northwestern. With Texas State leading 3-2 heading into the top of the seventh, Northwestern third baseman Tru Medina tied the game with a home run. But in the bottom of the inning, Aiyana Coleman responded with a home run of her own to walk it off for the Bobcats.

Texas State took on Arizona State later that day, falling 3-2. It defeated Memphis 13-8 to begin Saturday before Northwestern got its revenge, beating Texas State 7-1.

Here are some takeaways from Texas State's first few games of the season.

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Veteran bats deliver

There were no issues on the offensive end for Texas State's veterans. Outfielder Keely Williams, infielder Bubela Kate, catcher Kamryn Bass and Coleman combined for 19 runs batted in and 45 total bases.

Outside of them, the Bobcats' starters struggled to deliver runs. Infielder Katarina Zarate's two-run home run was her only hit in 12 at-bats. Outfielder Harley Vestal recorded five hits in 14 attempts but didn't drive in a run, while Sydney Harvey and Sami Hood went a combined 1-of-20 from the plate.

It's very early in the season, so everything must be taken with a healthy pinch of salt. Zarate, in particular, should be given grace, as she missed all of 2025 recovering from injury.

Freshman reliver flashes

Texas State coach Ricci Woodard singled out Kaili Witherell as a freshman who had been standing out early on, and she did not disappoint. Witherell made three appearances and in 1.2 innings pitched, allowed two hits, two walks and no runs. Her biggest moment came against Northwestern.

After Strood allowed the game-tying home run, Woodard turned to her freshman. Witherell walked a batter, but she eventually forced two groundouts and earned the win after Coleman's walk-off. Things didn't go so well the second time around, when Witherell started against the Wildcats. She was quickly pulled for Madison Azua after giving up a hit and walking a batter.

Mixed bag from the starting pitchers

The Bobcats' starting pitchers had their moments. Azua held Toledo to two runs and struck out eight in a loss to Arizona State. Strood pitched 6.1 innings against Northwestern, fanning three batters and walking one.

But both had their ugly moments. Memphis sent Strood back to the dugout after a four-run first inning, and Azua gave up seven to Northwestern in 3.1 innings pitched. Analisa Soliz did just enough in relief of Strood, but she was far from perfect, allowing four runs in six hits.