The celebration of Kentucky State Parks’ 100th anniversary continues with a variety of exciting events in May.

“Kentucky State Parks have been a vital part of our local communities for 100 years, and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with a variety of events and activities throughout the year,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Our state parks have something for everyone, and I encourage Kentuckians to take advantage of these opportunities and experience the natural beauty of our state.”
  
On May 11, Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site will host Springfest, where visitors can learn about how to set up a wildflower garden, a monarch butterfly waystation and other nature-related subjects. Organizations such as the Bluegrass Green Source, Wild Ones, the Garden Club of Kentucky and others will have booths set up.

Additionally, Kincaid Lake State Park will host a guided sunrise paddle on May 11. Visitors can experience bald eagles fishing, green herons nesting, river otters playing, and more while enjoying the breathtaking views of Kincaid Lake in the early hours of the morning.

On the weekend of May 17-19, learn all about mushrooms at Mycology in May at Blue Licks Battlefield. Guided hikes will explore topics such as native Kentucky mushrooms and medicinal and food uses of mushrooms, and workshops will cover how to grow mushrooms and other subjects.

Youngsters will enjoy Lewis and Clark Junior Ranger Day on May 18 at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, where they can watch fire-starting demonstrations, earn a Junior Ranger badge and participate in crafts. Interpretive staff will lead a mock expedition along the Big Bone Creek Trail and share about Lewis and Clark’s connection to the park.

Also, on May 18, Wickliffe Mounds will host National Kids to Parks Day for outdoor experiences and family fun. Walk the nature trail, play outdoor games and try your skills with the “Leave No Trace” scavenger hunt.

Old Fort Harrod State Park will host Native American artists and musicians for the Native Dawn Flute Gathering on May 24-26. Come and enjoy the beautiful sounds and the artistry of the Native flute, along with food trucks, craft vendors and more.

At the end of May, Memorial Day weekend will kick off summer, along with the opening of most pools and beaches at state parks. Summer weekends will book up quickly at Kentucky State Parks, especially at lake destinations.

Kentucky State Parks is planning a series of events throughout 2024 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. For the latest updates and information on events, visit parks.ky.gov. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses.

The stars had aligned for a special season at Texas State and the Bobcats were more than ready for the challenge. Needless to say, the Bobcats passed with flying colors. 

Behind a three RBI performance from first baseman J.J. Smith, Texas State defeated their longtime nemesis the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns 9-5 to bring home the Bobcats first conference tournament title since 2018. 

Celebrating in front of their own home crowd during graduation, which many of the seniors missed, Texas State and Head Ricci Woodard are back in the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. 

“We had been throwing punches and getting punched back,” Woodard said. “Today was going to be one of those days. In that case, you have to go one pitch at a time. Even [Jessica] Mullins during the sixth inning said ‘Alright one pitch at a time’. That is when the stress hits and you start worrying about counts. I thought we did a really good job of continuing to battle and work one pitch at a time.”

Texas State got off to a hot start in the first inning, captializing on two Louisiana errors to load up bases. 

Right fielder Anna Jones scored the first run of the game hitting a RBI single into center field, putting the Bobcats up 1-0. 

Center fielder Piper Randolph tacked on another run, hitting a sacrifice fly to extend the lead 2-0. 

Texas State then captilaized Louisiana’s third error of the inning. An infield single by catcher Karmyn Bass was not fielded cleanly by the Cajun infield allowing Bass to reach base safely while another run scored to make it 3-0. 

Despite being down 3-0, Louisiana was not out of the fight. The Cajuns responded with a two-run RBI single in the bottom of the first before hitting a two-run RBI triple to take back the lead at 4-3. 

As the Bobcats trailed going into the top of the fourth inning, third baseman Sara Vanderford knew the team had to keep up being the aggressor. 

“You saw it when they put up two runs in two different innings and then we were down all of sudden,” Vanderord said. “They take what you give them and run with it. So keeping our aggressive mindset and being the aggressors while not waiting back on our heels put us in a position to win that game.”

Bass reached base following catcher’s interference followed by an infield single by left fielder Sidney Harvey. 

Shortstop Hannah Earls loaded up the bases with a bunt single as Texas State looked to retake the lead. 

Designated player Emilee Baker took back the lead for the Bobcats, hitting a RBI single and keeping the bases loaded. 

Vanderford hit a sac fly deep into center field to score Harvey, pushing the lead to 5-3. 

Jones tacked on the final run of the game with an RBI single before the Cajuns got the final out at the plate, making it a 6-4 game. 

Keeping Louisiana off the scoreboard, Texas State looked to add on to their lead. 

Randolph started the inning with a leadoff single to bring up Smith at the plate as Louisiana opted to switch pitchers going from Chloe Riassetto to Sam Landry, who started the game. 

With one swing of the bat, Smith connected with a two-run home run over the wall in left field. 

“I knew she wanted to get ahead of me [in the count],” Smith said. “The last couple of at-bats a couple of weeks ago, she pretty much owned me. I knew if she was trying to get ahead of me, I had to be first pitch swinging.”

Louisiana tacked on another run only for Smith to hit an RBI single to make the score 9-5. 

In the bottom of the 7th with Louisiana trying to stage a late comeback, Texas State slammed the door shut. 

The Bobcats got the final three outs before rushing the field to celebrate winning the first tournament championship since 2018. 

Smith, Vanderford and starting pitcher Jessica Mullins were named to the All-Tournament team with Vanderford winning the Most Outstanding Player award for the tournament. 

Even though Vanderford was unable to walk at her own graduation, the moment was more than worth it. 

“You couldn’t ask for anything better,” Vanderford said. “I said two weeks ago that I wasn’t buying a cap and gown because we were going to be in this spot. To actually say it, for it to happen and have a team of 22 girls who actually buy into that while having your back no matter what, is huge. It’s special and that is why this team is the way we are.”

With the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Bobcats will see where they land tomorrow during the NCAA Selection Show.