How An Idol Supercharged Texas State's Twin Battery

— -- SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Cat Osterman was not the reason Randi Rupp chose to play softball at Texas State. When Rupp committed to attend the school that sits about halfway between Austin and San Antonio, she didn't know it would later hire one of the most accomplished aces in the sport's history -- not to mention one of her favorite players -- as its pitching coach.

Rupp had reason to believe she was still dreaming when she woke one morning soon after the school announced the hire to find an introductory text message from Osterman. It's not every morning that an Olympic gold medalist introduces herself to a fan in such a manner.

"Growing up, it was all about Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch," said Rupp, who is now the Bobcats' sophomore ace. "Those have always been the two big idols, especially for me, pitching-wise, I've always looked up to them. Even when we'd see them at different venues, it was like, 'Oh, there's Cat Osterman.' She's just a celebrity, especially in the softball world."