03-24-2026 by The University Star

By Charlsie Daniels News Contributor

Farmers across Central Texas are struggling with an ongoing drought, forcing increased operating costs and difficult decisions about how to sustain business.

Local growers and farmers argue that broader environmental and development trends are contributing to the drought’s long-term impact.

Carey Jones owns a small farm in San Marcos called

While dry spells are not uncommon in Central Texas, severe and persistent drought conditions began to take hold in early 2022. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that San Marcos typically receives between 30 and 35 inches of precipitation annually, but it only recorded 24.7 inches in 2025.

TXST community expresses heartfelt themes at art exhibit

By Anaiya Brannon Life and Arts Contributor

Photography, paintings, prints and 3D pieces line the floors and walls of the San Marcos Art Center (SMAC) from March 4-27.

Texas State students and alumni displayed a variety of unique artworks at the fourth annual TXST Creative Community Show. The San Marcos Art League (SMAL) hosted the show for four years and allows anyone affiliated with the university to submit artwork for the show regardless of skill level, medium or subject matter.

“Tiny Organs”

Hannah Sanders, studio art alumna , is the creator of

“Tiny Organs.” The piece is a spun cotton sculpture depicting a mouse atop a bitten apple. As a lifelong fan of animals, they are often the subject of her work.

“I have always been obsessed with animals,” Sanders said. “As long as I can remember, I’ve always either drawn or sculpted animals. I’ve just always been obsessed with finding their forms and bringing them to life.”

Sanders began her art journey with Texas State in 2011, and graduated with her master’s in studio art with an all-level teaching certificate in 2017.

“Tiny Organs” was the result of her recent interest in mice, with the apple as an additional, familiar element

the mouse interacts with. Sanders said the title is symbolic of smaller, overlooked creatures and systems that often are ignored by humans, such as the mouse depicted in the piece.

“What I would want people to think about when looking at the sculpture is to stop and notice that there are tiny lives and worlds all around us that we maybe don’t think about and that our day-to-day actions can impact those lives,” Sanders said.

Tickle Root and focuses on growing native Texas plants while educating the public about its environmental benefits. He said urban development and current landscaping techniques are major contributors to the ongoing drought across Central Texas.

“Construction companies don’t use Texas native [plants], they use Bermuda grass,” Jones said. “Bermuda grass has very shallow roots that don’t penetrate the soil to retain water.”

BASEBALL

Au revoir Louisiana: ‘Cats sweep Cajuns

By Adrian Ramirez Sports Editor

The Texas State Bobcats welcomed longstanding rival Louisiana-Lafayette back to San Marcos for one last go as conference foes over the weekend at Bobcat Ballpark.

Texas State played its best baseball of the season, sweeping the 25th-ranked

Student

By Ryan Claycamp & Arabella DiChristina News Editor & Assistant News Editor

The U.S. Department of Education announced in a March 19 press release that it will transfer the management of loans in default to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. According to the press release, the Department of Education manages $1.7 trillion in student loan debt, with only 40% of borrowers in repayment and 25% in default. The press release did not outline a timeline for the transfer of the management of loans in default. For most federal student loans that fall under the Department of Education, loans enter default when the borrower fails to make

Ragin’ Cajuns and saying au revoir to an old foe in dominant fashion.

From power pitching to power hitting, here are three key takeaways from the Bobcats’ sweep of the Ragin’ Cajuns.

payments for more than 270 days, or about nine months. Doing so makes the entire unpaid balance immediately due, and students lose eligibility for future federal aid, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“Throughout each phase of the partnership, [the Department of Education], in conjunction with Treasury, will communicate directly with stakeholders, including students, parents, borrowers, institutions and vendors, to outline anticipated plans and timelines and address any questions,” the Department of Education wrote in its release.

CHARLSIE DANIELS | NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

Sarah Shook overlooks her crops, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Shook Farms in New Braunfels. According to Shook, she experiences difficulties due to drought.

RAE KNIGHT | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Artist Emily Fule speaks about “Tiny Organs,” a piece created by her colleague and studio art alumna Hannah Sanders at the TXST Creative Community Show opening reception, Friday, March 6, 2026, at the San Marcos Art Center. Fule had two of her pieces displayed in the gallery.

Jones said Bermuda grass is widely used in landscaping because it’s cheap and fastgrowing, and its use in urban development compounds the drought problem.

“We can solve our drought burdens by planting more wildflowers and native grasses,” Jones said.

Native grasses and wildflowers develop deeper root systems, which help absorb and retain water to improve soil structure and reduce runoff, according to Jones. Without deeper roots, rainwater is more likely to flow over hardened soil surfaces and into drainage systems, rather than replenish the ecosystem.

Jones said he works hard to keep his plants affordable and continues to advocate for increased use of native species in public and private landscaping projects.

At Shook Farm in New Braunfels, owner Sarah Shook said the drought reshapes every aspect of her operation. The farm specializes in microgreens, which are young plants harvested days after sprouting instead of waiting months for the vegetable to fully develop. Shook Farm also produces a wide variety of other vegetables and has been in operation since 2021, the same year Shook began noticing abnormally dry conditions.

FROM FRONT LOANS

Shook said rising utility bills are one of her biggest concerns, as overhead watering requires more water usage than other irrigation methods. However, Shook said overhead watering is the most secure way to care for her crops, but the drought has made basic tasks more difficult.

”When I plant new crops from seed, they struggle to sprout and establish roots because the soil is so dry,”

Shook said.

To conserve resources, Shook previously relied on drip irrigation, a method to deliver water directly to plant roots while minimizing waste, using a long tube to slowly drip water into the soil. According to Shook, the soil conditions have worsened, making drip irrigation ineffective.

Shook said she decided not to pass those expenses to her customers. Instead, she is branching out to local restaurants and selling produce on a larger scale to alleviate the financial stress.

According to the Texas Farm Bureau, the cost of seeds has increased 18% as of 2025 due to drought conditions limiting production, and rising fuel prices driving up the price for distribution.

”I’m feeding my friends and my community, people that I see working every day,” Shook said. “I don’t want to

Under the agreement, the Treasury Department will also assist the Department of Education in “returning borrowers to repayment.” In later phases of the partnership, the Treasury Department will also provide support for loans not in default “to the extent practicable and permitted by law,” while seeking other ways for Federal Student Aid.

Nalani Pennick, a Texas State alumna, said every semester she had to take out both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans. She now owes the government $22,000 and Texas State almost $7,000 for her degree.

Pennick said she wants to come back to Texas State for graduate school, but it’s hard without access to Texas State’s resources and aid.

“It’s definitely a burden, I would like to get a further education, but it’s looming knowing I owe $22,000, but also [the fact] that I owe the school money too,” Pennick said.

Pennick said everything she needed to live made it harder for her to pay for her education.

“My classes were really expensive, I still had to have somewhere to live, stuff to eat, and still had to brush my teeth, wash my clothes and have everything for my bathroom,” Pennick said.

Pennick said she was on the Bobcat Promise and used Bobcat Bounty while at Texas State, but it didn’t make a dent in her bills.

“Paying off your loans is already a [tedious thing]. If I’m being honest,

Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,300. Printing is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Celebrating women should go beyond March

By Shar Kiefer Opinion Columnist

March marks Women’s History Month, which is meant to honor women’s contributions in society. However, when celebrating the accomplishments of women, many ignore the challenges they still face today. If March is meant to uplift women’s achievements, acknowledging their setbacks is just as important.

Women have a long history at Texas State, dating all the way back to the university’s early years. Throughout the school’s history, women still faced obstacles and barriers preventing them from the same achievements of their male counterparts. Even now, women continue to face similar challenges in their education.

These hurdles were finally acknowledged through legislative efforts. In 1972, as part of the Education Amendments, Title IX was enacted to prohibit sex-based discrimination, but like all legislation Title IX isn’t perfect. That is why awareness is so important, especially at Texas State, as people are tasked to make up for the law’s shortcomings.

Title IX is key for supporting women’s sports, giving new opportunities for funding and allowing for more recognition. At Texas State, women’s sports have existed since

1903, and often have higher success rates than other teams. However, supporting these teams goes beyond just March, as their success empowers women everywhere.

Megan Webb, assistant director of women’s volleyball, softball and basketball, said supporting women’s sports programs is one of the highlights of her job.

“I’m surrounded by incredible women all day, every single day, and it’s such a privilege,” Webb said. “It’s such an honor to get to be a part of that, and that’s the biggest thing. And that doesn’t end in March.”

Supporting women’s sports can make a significant difference. After years of ignoring outrage, the WNBA

has finally agreed to pay their athletes more, allowing their work to be appreciated to the same standard as their counterparts in the NBA. This same sentiment can be applied to universities, with support paving the way for new opportunities.

By uplifting women’s voices yearround, women can also be appreciated in more than just sports. The same barriers that many women face in sports also exist in their education.

Allison Robinson, director of women’s gender and sexuality studies, said women have often been excluded, forcing them to work even harder to be noticed.

“Women have constantly had to carve out a space for themselves,”

Robinson said. “Often overworking, just to prove that they belong there.”

As of 2025, about 53% of faculty are classified as women according to employee data in Data, Analytics & Institutional Research at Texas State. Despite being the majority at Texas State, women’s academic accomplishments are often not as valued as men’s due to gender stereotypes. For example, only seeing women as nurses instead of doctors shapes expectations in society. As women work to carve out their place, it often seems like society has already decided it for them.

This is especially prevalent in women-led research and publications. According to the National Library for Medicine, women are credited far less than men in science. As Texas State pushes for R1 status, it cannot push its women out.

While Women’s History Month ends in March, the struggles women face don’t. Women should be celebrated, but oftentimes the acknowledgment of barriers placed before them is even more impactful. These challenges aren’t exclusive to Texas State and are ingrained into society, but in order to truly foster change, that has to be recognized every day, all year round.

-Shar Kiefer is a political science junior

Supporting women in political science and beyond

Supporting women in education and professional fields is important for creating fairness and equal opportunity. In areas like political science, women have not always had the same access to leadership roles or resources. Because of this, efforts to uplift women can help close these gaps and create stronger, more balanced communities. When women are given the tools and confidence to succeed, it benefits not only individuals but also the larger society. It also helps create environments where different perspectives are valued and included.

Supporting Women in Political Science, also known as SWIPS, is a female-led organization established in 2017. The group focuses on helping students learn about political science while also creating a space where women feel encouraged. With a women-led executive board, the organization aims to uplift female voices and encourage students to explore their interests and career goals. While it is one of many approaches, it shows how guidance systems can exist within a university setting and help students feel more prepared.

SWIPS hosts a variety of events that reflect the importance of opportunity and access. Some meetings focus on career readiness. In these sessions, students learn how to build resumes, prepare for interviews and present themselves in a professional way. These are basic but important skills that can make a difference when entering the workforce. For women, especially in competitive fields, having access to this kind of guidance can help build confidence and reduce uncertainty about their future. It can also make professional

paths feel more achievable. The organization also hosts networking events where students can meet local leaders and professionals. These events give students the chance to ask questions and hear real experiences. When women in leadership roles share their stories, it can help students see what is possible for themselves. Representation plays a key role in shaping goals and expectations, especially for students who may not have seen many examples before in person. These moments can leave a lasting impression

Letters to the Editor Policy

The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be 300 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Writers must include their full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation (for students), phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is used to verify the identify of the letter writer. It is

on students as they plan their futures.

SWIPS often organizes activities that focus on education and civic engagement. Voter registration events and trivia about women in history encourage students to learn while staying involved in their communities. These activities highlight the contributions women have made over time and remind students that their voices matter. Events during Women’s History Month also create space to reflect on the role of women in political systems. Through simple and

not used for any commercial purpose.

interactive activities, students can learn in a way that feels approachable and engaging. Supporting women is about creating access, building confidence, and encouraging participation. Organizations like SWIPS provide one example of how this can be done in an academic setting. Their work shows that when women are uplifted, it can lead to greater involvement, stronger communities and more equal opportunities for all.

Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. An editor will contact the letter writer if their letter is a candidate for publication. The Star will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature.

Letters can be submitted to staropinion@txstate.edu or by mail to Attn: Opinion Editor, The University Star, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666.

KYLIN ANDERSON | STAR ILLUSTRATOR

MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

By Supporting Women in Political Science

Society of Women in Political Science (SWIPS) board members Daniela Lazo Ojeda, Benedict Kazadi, Ashlee Chrisman, Favour Madojutimi and Anaysa Guerra pose before a SWIPS meeting, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Trauth Huffman Hall. Board members not pictured, Chidiebere Diribe and Michelle Obianna.

Alumni compete on acting competition show

By Vanessa Rivera Life and Arts Reporter

Two Texas State alumni were among six actors who made it on “Callbacks,” a new Austin-based acting competition show that aims to combat the challenge of breaking into the film industry.

Sheilava, the director and producer of “Callbacks,” who goes by her stage name, said creator and executive producer Rob Borrego noticed non-union, unrepresented actors struggling to get hired without previous experience or visibility in the film industry. His solution was to bring in Austinbased actors for on-screen auditions to give them a spotlight in the industry.

“Callbacks” reviewed over 300 auditions. Only six actors made it onto the show to audition over three days for the lead role in a short film and a cash prize. Among them are Cole McHugh, business management alumnus, and Keith Nelson, integrated studies alumnus.

“You have a 2% chance of getting on the show,” McHugh said. “And the fact that we both made it on, and both being from Texas State, it was like, ‘Alright, represent, we’re here.’”

McHugh and Nelson never talked when they took the same “Business of Film” class. They recognized each other’s names on the call sheet, and McHugh reached out to Nelson over Instagram. They said knowing each other before “Callbacks” was comforting, and they have become good friends since the show.

“Having [McHugh] there, having a familiar face there, it let me let my walls down,” Nelson said. “There was some sense of familiarity that I think made me able to feel better.”

Despite never competing on a reality show before, Nelson said the experience was the opposite of what he imagined.

To know that I got to be a part of [‘Callbacks’], I mean, it was just electric.”

Keith Nelson, integrated studies alumnus and “Callbacks” cast member

FROM FRONT GALLERY

Knightly Rabbit” and “Mace and Chain”

“I’ve never been on a competition show before. I’d imagine how anxious I would be in that situation, always performing for the camera,” Nelson said. “We were anxious because of the competition, but the people making the show and my other competitors ... we were all super supportive of one another.”

McHugh said the show was intense because of the reality show competition aspect, but the supportive environment lessened those feelings.

“Having the other actors on the show, we were all in the same boat, and we were all in it together, so that helped ease some of those anxieties and whatnot,” McHugh said.

Aside from competition rounds, producers conducted one-on-one interviews with the actors about their goals and how they felt. Nelson said those small moments reflected that this journey starts with him.

“I remember thinking, ‘What’s my tagline? What’s my MO?” Nelson said. “What I came to realize was ... it’s up to me what I’m doing. So my MO ended up being ... ‘Show them who I am, show them what I do and show them what I will do.’”

McHugh began working in the industry in 2021 after losing his job and car. He secured multiple

opportunities in acting, lighting and production assisting. He reached out to people he met at Texas State to help him with the audition process for “Callbacks.”

“[Getting onto ‘Callbacks’ was] a little bit like a confidence boost in a pile of rejections,” McHugh said. “It definitely just showed me that it’s an industry that I want to keep working in, and that it is a lot of work, and I’m willing to do it if it means I can be in that environment.”

Nelson worked in the San Marcos and Austin film scenes for five years. While at Texas State, he developed film production and acting skills through classes and working on student short films, which helped shape him as an actor and as a person. He said highlighting Texas talent is important and shows it can come from beyond traditional film hubs such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

“The point of ‘Callbacks’ is to make a competition show for local Texans to show off the talent that’s in Texas [and] the film potential that’s already here,” Nelson said. “So, to know that I got to be a part of that, I mean, it was just electric.”

Sheilava said one of the most rewarding parts of the process was working closely with the actors, helping them gain experience and connections. She is currently attached as producer on Nelson’s next short film, and McHugh will help produce the second season of “Callbacks.”

Having worked on over 170 productions in Austin, Sheilava said she has seen the struggles of actors and crew members.

“That’s where my heart was at when [Borrego] pitched [‘Callbacks’] to me. I’m like, ‘Let’s start with Austin,’” Sheilava said. “We have so much talent here, and we don’t have the opportunities that we would like for everybody to get to experience what it’s like to make a high-quality, high-level production.”

Starting from March 13, new episodes drop weekly every Friday, with the season finale coming out on April 10.

Robin Smith, studio art junior, has two linoleum block print pieces on display that use a limited color palette. “Knightly Rabbit” depicts a black-inked rabbit in armor with a red-inked the black-inked mace and chain.

really what you’d expect.”

Smith said he experiments with many mediums, though he primarily creates pen illustrations and prints. His work includes medieval aesthetics and imagery, which he said is a point

implement a spade symbol, connecting the two works thematically.

He described the symbol as one that he identifies with and incorporates in many of his pieces.

“I think [I like] just the whimsy and weirdness of old medieval art,” Smith said. “Just how they’re a bit odd, they’re not

symbol as not like my logo but a symbol I associate with myself,” Smith said. “So, I thought it’d be fun just to put that symbol in just to have it relate back to me.”

studio art alumna and Smith’s mother, encouraged Smith to enter the show alongside her.

is a ceramic assemblage of hanging crystal drops held together with a metal chain. Each crystal contains custommade ceramic mermaids and other trinkets like brass fish and a fishing lure.

using the trinkets, silverplated serving dishes and silicone molds with resin to create a crystal effect. The final look resembles a large charm necklace, with each crystal having a unique identity.

“I added napkin rings and silverware handles that I would bend to make a hanging crystal,” Lisa said. “Then I thought, ‘How can I put these pieces together in an interesting way?’ I thought, centers contribute to.

“I know that it takes a lot of water to cool these data centers, and we’ve been in a major drought for years,” Lisa said. “So, I just don’t think it’s very good for the water consumption. Resisting all the stuff that’s going on in

Business management alumnus Cole McHugh (center left) and integrated studies alumnus Keith Nelson (bottom left) pose with the actors that made it to the final round on the set of “Callbacks,” Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Firehouse Studios in Round Rock.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CELESTE IGNACIO

“Knightly Rabbit” by studio art junior Robin Smith, Friday, March 6, 2026, at the San Marcos Art Center.

“ReSisters” by studio art alumna Lisa McPike Smith, Friday, April 6, 2026, at the San Marcos Art Center.

RECREATION

Intramural sports offer stress relief, community for students on campus

By Jackson Grettler Sports Reporter

Intramural sports offer a place for students to relieve stress and build community amid the pressure of assignments, exams and busy schedules.

Intramural sports allow students to participate in organized recreational sports leagues at the Campus Recreation Center. Intramurals at TXST include soccer, basketball, pickleball, flag football and indoor volleyball. With flexible schedules, multiple leagues available for each sport and a low barrier for entry, intramural sports offer something for every student at any skill level.

While intramural sports provide a break from the stress and chaos of college life, experts in the psychological field say the benefits of participation go beyond simple recreation, playing a key role in supporting student mental health.

Robert McKelvain, a sport psychology professor at TXST and psychologist for multiple U.S. men’s national soccer teams, said intramural sports support student mental health through three key components: physical activity, social connection and individual development. According to McKelvain, all three components can help students release stress, especially during the busy times of the semester.

“Stress is energy. If you have a lot of it and nothing to do with it, it will hurt you,” McKelvain said.

McKelvain said group physical activity, like intramural sports, provides students with a structured outlet to channel that energy, helping reduce anxiety while promoting physical health.

“Teams require routine, schedule and a level of responsibility,” McKel-

FROM FRONT TAKEAWAYS

The return of “Slam Marcos”

In 2022, Texas State baseball set a program record with 87 home runs in a single season. During that historic year, San Marcos became known as “Slam Marcos.”

The power numbers dropped at a steadily every season after, but after three days against Louisiana, Texas State sent a reminder that the “Slam Marcos” is alive and well.

Seven different Bobcats combined to hit eight home runs against Louisiana in Sunday’s finale en route to a 16-6 run-rule victory to complete the sweep. Sophomores Ethan Farris and Dawson Park each hit two home runs, while senior Chase Mora inched closer to the all-time career home run record, now sitting only two

vain said. “That overflows into other aspects of a person’s life.”

Together, these factors combine to help students of all skill levels reach what psychologists call “flow,” which is a mental zone where challenge and ability align, allowing students to feel engaged and confident.

McKelvain said that for students whose lives often revolve around academics, these moments of success and engagement outside of the classroom help provide an important balance to students.

This balance is something students like junior construction management major Brendan McAdams have experienced firsthand through intramural sports.

“Weeks can get a little rough sometimes since assignments are usually due then,” McAdams said. “Intramurals help get your mind off that.”

McAdams has played in intramurals since his freshman year and said it has not only led him to new friends but also strengthened existing friendships.

“All the friendships that were just basic, they’re now deep,” McAdams said. “When you’re playing, you’re gonna have to have chemistry, and when you do that, you’re building a bond.”

That sense of community is one reason Julie Saldiva, associate director of Campus Recreation, said more students this semester are joining intramural sports. Saldiva also said participation in intramural sports has more than doubled in the past year, growing from 100 teams last school year to over 235 teams for the spring semester.

Saldiva said this growth is likely attributed to the low barrier for entry, with students paying a $20 fee each semester for access to every intramural

behind Paul Goldschmidt.

In total, Texas State finished the weekend with 12 home runs over the course of the three games.

“It was monumental to keep [the home runs] going,” Texas State head coach Steven Trout said. “Get a couple homers in there … you just gotta keep doing it, and they fed off each other, and it eventually became ‘I don’t want to be the guy to let the team down.’”

Pitching stabilizes The Bobcats’ pitching staff bounced back from a poor weekend in Monroe, La, where they gave up 36 runs in three games to the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, March 13-15.

“[Louisiana] was really good and we knew that coming in,” junior pitcher

sport offered. The program also offers a free agent program, which connects new students with teams based on their skill level, allowing those who don’t know anyone in intramurals to join and make connections.

With the number of teams more than doubling from last year, intramurals have become a gateway into the Texas State community for freshmen trying to find their place on campus.

Exercise sports science freshman Ocean Jennison and management sophomore Anders Jansson-Zettl said playing intramural soccer helped them meet new people in their first semester on campus, expanding their social circle beyond the few people they had met in their classes.

Jesus Tovar said. “We said we weren’t going to panic, we knew what we had to fix, so we fixed it this weekend and came out with a sweep.”

Friday night starter Kyle Froelich tossed 7.0 innings of one-run baseball in the series opener, punching out 10 batters and at one point, retired 16 straight Cajuns.

Because typical Saturday starter Nolan Moore is out for the season with an unspecified arm injury, the role of game two starter turned to junior righty Sam Hall, who has been a stable presence for the Bobcats over the last few years, but is hit or miss at times in his starts.

On Saturday, Hall gave the Bobcats a strong enough start before turning the ball over to the eventual winning pitcher in sophomore Cade Smith. Smith fired the final

They also said the fun and casual nature of intramural sports helped take their minds off the pressure of school and everyday life.

“It’s all pretty casual,” Jennison said. “Most of it’s just for fun. To come play some sports, take your mind off schoolwork, family trouble, whatever it might be.”

After their first semester playing, the duo has signed up for nearly every sport offered, as they continue to expand their circle.

For students like McAdams, Jennison and Jansson-Zettl, intramural sports are more than just a game; they are an opportunity to build friendships, relieve stress and have fun during the demanding school year.

4.2 innings, shutting out the Cajuns over the remainder of the game.

Tovar had an uncharacteristically rough outing against the Warhawks, but returned to form with five strong innings en route to picking up his fifth win of the still-young season.

“I’ve got all the faith in the world in [Tovar],” Trout said. “He’s a veteran that knows how to get outs … really good job by him.”

Momentum builder

Baseball is a game of momentum and heating up at the right time. A single win can carry a team through several series afterwards, and a big series win can propel a team through a majority of the season.

For Texas State, the sweep of maybe their biggest in-conference rival figures to be a

huge step into getting the club where it wants to be come conference and NCAA tournament times.

A strong start to the season was derailed after five consecutive losses to Texas, Texas A&M and a sweep at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe. But a sweep of a top-25 opponent should signal to everyone in the clubhouse and everyone watching that Texas State, when playing well, looks to be a team to be reckoned with this season.

The Bobcats will seek to keep the momentum going into a 6 p.m. showdown on Tuesday, March 24, as they host the UTRGV Vaqueros at Bobcat Ballpark. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.

Texas State electronic media senior Sparti Locklin swings the bat during an intramural softball game, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the Bobcat Village Fields.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BEAU KELLY

(Left) Texas State redshirt junior pitcher Sam Hall (36) throws a pitch. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bobcat Ballpark. (Right) Texas State junior designated hitter Manny Salas (33) celebrates after hitting a home run, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats hit 12 total home runs over the weekend.

TXST KNOWS BALL

Texas State redshirt sophomore pitcher Cade Smith (16) pitches the ball, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats won against Louisiana 11-4.

AIDEN FRITSCHE | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Texas State’s bat boy gets introduced to the team, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. The Bobcats lost to Texas A&M 9-6.

ABEL BARCENAS | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

AIDEN FRITSCHE | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Texas State freshman infielder Tanner Carson smiles during the pregame, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. The Bobcats lost to Texas A&M 9-6.