SAN ANTONIO—The UTSA softball team is making its way to Mexico to compete in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, which will see the ‘Runners play five games across three days at Nancy Almaraz Stadium in Puerto Vallarta.
This will mark the first time the softball team will compete internationally, and it’s just the second time they’ve left the continental United States, last taking on a Hawaii Tournament in 1997.
UTSA will open the event on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with a bout against Southern Illinois, followed by Eastern Kentucky at 5 p.m. On Thursday, the Roadrunners and Salukis will meet again at 1 p.m., ahead of a Friday bout with the Colonels at 1 p.m. UTSA will then close out the tournament at 4 p.m. against Lone Beach State.
The Roadrunners (0-3) are eyeing their first win of the campaign after falling to No. 25 Washington, No. 9 Nebraska and No. 1 Texas as part of the UTSA Invitational. Junior Taryn Madlock provided a bright spot, hitting .500, with an OPS of 1.181, including a double and an RBI.
The Salukis (5-0) have yet to lose in 2026, earning wins over Charlotte, Florida Gulf Coast, Ball State and Long Island at the FGCU Kickoff Classic. Emily Williams and Charleston Pursley have been efficient at the plate, each posting a batting average of .500, while Sydney Potter has logged a team-best 11 RBIs with five home runs. In the circle, Brooklynn Danielson earned two wins for the squad, and Hailey Lucas has a perfect 0.00 ERA and Emily Delgado has a team-best 0.47 WHIP.
The Colonels (2-3) picked up wins over North Carolina Central and Pitt at the NFCA Lead Off Classic, with both victories coming while Boyle Hunnicutt commanded the circle. Hunnicutt fanned 18 across the opening weekend, logging a 3.50 ERA over 14.0 innings of action. Kennedy Drafton launched the squad's lone home run of the season, while she and Jada McLeod have each knocked in four runs. McLeod’s .333 batting average sits just behind Makayla Mathis, who’s .385 mark tops the team.
The Beach (3-2) opened 2026 with three straight wins, besting Oregon State, Utah Tech and Northern Colorado, before dropping games to the Beavers and Utah. Malayna Terrones has been red hot at the plate with a .692 batting average, sitting above Priscilla Iniguez (.471) and Avery Weisbrook (.400) for the team lead. Weisbrook has worked five RBIs and Kali Su’e has been a threat on the basepaths with three steals. The pitching staff holds a 3.40 ERA, led by Isabella Alonso at 1.75 with a 0.88 WHIP. Lindsey Cowans has a 2-0 record for Lone Beach, with five strikeouts over 11.1 innings.
Keep up with UTSA Softball all season long on goutsa.com, and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSASB, X (Twitter) @UTSASoftball, and on Instagram @utsasoftball.
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