The UTSA softball team (3-7) split the weekend at the Cardinal Invitational. The team traveled across town to the University of the Incarnate Word for a three-day tournament, Feb. 18-20 to face the University of Massachusetts, Omaha, Boise State and UIW. 

The Roadrunners opened the Cardinal Invitational on Friday, Feb. 18 with a five-inning win over UMass. After a scoreless first inning, UTSA had two runners on base in the second. A double from Lauren Coerver scored Erykah Guerrero to give the ‘Runners a 1-0 lead on the board. Stepping up to the plate, Kat Ibarra homered to add three more runs to the board for UTSA to lead 4-0. A solo home run from Riley Grunberg increased the ‘Runners lead to five in the third. With two runners on in the fourth, a single from Grunberg loaded the bases as she advanced to score Ibarra, 6-0. UMass answered with two runs but remained trailing. 

A seven-run fifth inning from UTSA forced the run-rule and gave the ‘Runners the victory. With bases loaded, a single from Ciarra Mata sent Guerrero home. A walk from Ibarra sent Emily Johnson to home plate as UTSA led 8-2. A Camryn Robillard sacrifice fly scored Coerver. Walks for Grunberg and Estell advanced the runners on base to score two additional runs, 10-2. A double from Guerrero added two runs to the board as Grunberg and Ibarra were sent home. Emily Dear closed the frame with a single to score Estell as the ‘Runners recorded 13 runs in five innings. 

The ‘Runners then faced Omaha and Boise State on Saturday, Feb. 19. During both games, the ‘Runners did not record a run. Omaha took down UTSA in a 5-0 win and Boise State followed suit with a 2-0 win to put UTSA 1-2 for the weekend. 

After a no-run Saturday, the ‘Runners returned to the field for an 11-5 victory over UIW on Sunday, Feb. 20. The ‘Runners began the second with Guerrero in scoring position. A single from Coerver sent Guerrero to home plate for a UTSA lead of 1-0. A solo home run from Robillard opened the third. With bases loaded, a single from Grunberg gave UTSA a 3-0 advantage. A single from Estell allowed Guerrero to reach home as the ‘Runner led by four. 

Coerver stepped to the plate in the fifth and sent a ball over the left field wall for a homer to extend the lead over the Cardinals 5-0. A double from Robillard scored Sophie Cambell and Ibarra, 7-0. UIW scored one run in the bottom of the frame to trail 7-1. A Campbell double in the sixth sent Dear home. Four walks from the UIW pitching staff gave UTSA another run to extend the lead to 10 (11-1). A home run and three-run homer from UIW in the bottom of the sixth closed the gap to six runs as the ‘Runners claimed the game 11-5. 

UTSA returns to the field Thursday, Feb. 24 to compete in the Texas Classic in Austin.