Women’s golf back in postseason
Led by co-medalist Puisite, Bobcats get NCAA regional spot.
Texas SAN MARCOS — State senior golfer Krista Puisite keeps on winning and the Bobcats’ women’s team has ridden that momentum, securing a berth in the NCAA regionals before it even tees it up at the WAC championships later this month.
The Bobcats, led by Puisite, finished second this week at the Chal- lenge at Onion Creek, three shots behind eventual winner Gonzaga. For the second year in a row, Texas State earned a postseason berth without having to win its conference.
Puisite shot a finalround 72 to finish with a 54-hole total of even-par 210, the second-lowest three-round score in Texas State history. She owns the school record (209, shot in 2009).
Puisite earned co-medalist honors (with Gonzaga’s Han Wu) and garnered her third individual tournament title this season.
The Bobcats, ranked Coach Ty Harrington and his team face Sacramento State next. 35th in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin ratings that were released before the Challenge at Onion Creek, finished three strokes behind Gonzaga. One of the teams they beat was 16th-ranked Texas Tech.
“We made a run, but just fell short,” coach Mike Akers said. “I am very proud, and it’s very satisfying to wrap up our NCAA bid.”
Texas State’s secondplace showing was boosted by Puisite’s sister, Mara, who tied for fifth after carding a final-round 69, her lowest of the year.
“Mara really stepped up and played some great golf,” Akers said. “If we can keep her playing to her potential, we could be dangerous in the postseason.”
Baseball’s big week:
The baseball team swept a three-game series with Seattle and moved into a tie with Texas-Arlington for first place in the WAC. The Bobcats then traveled to Rice on Monday and fell to the 18th-ranked Owls in 12 innings, 4-3.
“Maybe we’ve turned the corner,” coach Ty Harrington said. “There’s no doubt that the team is more confident now and feeling better about things. We are young, and some guys are still getting used to playing out of position, but we are getting better.”
After being rained out Tuesday, the Bobcats (1216 overall, 5-1 WAC) travel to Sacramento State for a crucial three-game league series beginning Friday.
Softball finds a way:
The softball team took two of three games on the road against Seattle last weekend, winning its first WAC series.
The Bobcats host Louisiana Tech in a three- game series beginning Friday.
Goodbye, Western
Kentucky: Western Kentucky will leave the Sun Belt Conference, the home for Texas State beginning this fall, for Conference USA in July 2014.
When the Hilltoppers officially move, they will be the fifth team in a year to switch from the Sun Belt to C-USA. Current Sun Belt members Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and North Texas are leaving for Conference USA this summer, a year before the Hilltoppers rejoin them.