Facing two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Texas State began its scoring spree with a single by infielder Aiyana Coleman, followed by a two-run blast by fellow infielder Katarina Zarate. The bats would pick up four more hits and two runs off of Coastal Carolina pitcher Abby Henderson before she recorded the third out.
Texas State ace Madison Azua picked up her 26th win of the year, allowing one earned run off a solo home run in the fourth inning and striking out five. Fellow pitcher Emma Strood threw the sixth inning, setting up the final frame of the day.
Up 9-2, needing one more run to end the game, Coleman led off the bottom of the sixth with her 65th walk of the season. Chanticleers pitcher Kate Ryan lost her command, picking up an out on a sacrifice bunt but walking the next three batters for a walkoff run-rule win.
Texas State will face South Alabama in the finals, which defeated Louisiana-Monroe 3-1 in the opposing semifinals. The Bobcats defeated the Jaguars 2-1 in their regular-season series. Texas State is heating up at just the right time, having scored five or more runs in seven of its last eight games. Winning the Sun Belt title would give Texas State an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, although it’s likely to make it anyway, thanks to being ranked 31st in RPI.