SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA softball team (8-35, 3-14 C-USA) couldn't keep offensive pace with visiting UAB (25-21, 12-6 C-USA) in Saturday's Conference USA doubleheader at Roadrunner Field. The Roadrunners dropped a pair of games to the Blazers with scores of 12-6 and 5-0 to wrap up the three-game series.
Beyond the on-field action, UTSA dedicated the Saturday games to the annual Play For Hope Game in remembrance of the late former UTSA pitcher Hope Ortiz, who lost her life to Leukemia in 2008. The Roadrunners welcomed the Ortiz family and former coaches and friends to the game and had members of the family throw out the first pitch.
Game One
Although they fell short of edging in front, the Roadrunners kept applying pressure throughout the opening game, after the Blazers jumped out to an early lead in the first. UAB registered three doubles and three runs in the opening frame of Saturday's action, leaving the Roadrunners playing from behind throughout the contest. The Blazers added another RBI double in the top of the third to extend their separation.
UTSA was held without score of their own until the third, when junior shortstop Kat Ibarra smacked her second home run of the series beyond the wall in right center to bring in herself and senior left fielder Ciarra Mata – trimming the deficit to 4-2.
After UAB added a two-run homer in the top of the fifth, UTSA was quick to respond this time as senior Marena Estell blasted a no-doubt two-run shot of her own beyond the left field wall, keeping the deficit at 6-4 as she joined Ibarra in crossing the plate.
Once more the Blazers delivered runs in the top half of the sixth, but this frame produced a decisive six runs on four scoring plays. The Roadrunners responded to keep the game alive, thanks to a season-first home run for pinch hitter Emily Dear, also bringing home Lindsey Davis to tally the final margin at 12-6.
Tossing the complete game, Caitlyn Russell (8-2) earned the win for UAB, despite giving up six runs on eight hits. Jamie Gilbert (1-9) took the loss after throwing 4.0 innings, giving four runs on five hits.
At the plate in game one, Ibarra went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs of her own to lead UTSA. Estell was also 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
Game Two
The UTSA offense struggled to gain traction in the second game of the day, while the Blazers slowly gained the upper hand via three consecutive single-score innings. UAB garnered a sacrifice fly and back-to-back innings with a home run to move ahead 3-0 after the opening three innings.
The Blazers added some final insurance scores in the top of the seventh, tacking on an RBI single and a sac fly to secure the 5-0 lead.
UTSA was limited to five baserunners and a second-inning double for Camryn Robillard and a sixth-inning Ibarra single. Going the full 7.0 innings, Sarah Cespedes (7-7) claimed the win, striking out seven. Reagan Smith (4-14) took the loss with three runs in 2.1 innings of action.
The Roadrunners will return to action on Wednesday in Austin in a non-conference date at No. 7 Texas, 6:00 p.m. at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
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