The UTSA softball team hosted Abilene Christian University in the season’s home opener, falling to the Wildcats 5-2 on Tuesday evening at Roadrunner Field. Freshman pitcher Iliana Saucedo threw five innings in relief while senior catcher Erykah Gurrero led the ‘Runners in the hitting column. The Roadrunners (7-15) led the game 2-1 until the sixth inning when ACU scored three runs and spoiled UTSA’s first home game.
“I feel like we just kinda go away,” head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We got ahead at the beginning of the game, and then in the middle of the game we sort of just laid down. [We] didn’t continue to compete and then at the end of the game, we decide to compete a little bit so I think maybe just a little bit more grit to sustain that competitive energy the whole game.”
The two runs scored by the ‘Runners were driven in by senior catcher Taylor Jensen, a single in the first inning, and freshman right fielder Taryn Madlock, a double in the fourth inning. Senior pitcher Jamie Gilbert was the starter for UTSA and threw a single inning allowing only one hit and zero earned runs. Senior pitcher Kenzi Schultz came in relief for an inning and then freshman pitcher Zelinda Camacho was called in, who only faced three batters and allowed one run in the third inning. Saucedo came to the rescue, pitching the rest of the game and finishing with five innings pitched, six strikeouts and only two earned runs.
The Roadrunners were disciplined at the plate, collecting seven walks and only striking out three times. Sophomore third baseman Kylie Forney and sophomore center fielder Madi Hays both led UTSA with two walks. Despite the loss, this game marks itself as the first game at Roadrunner field for Stuedeman.
“Everybody was so excited,” Stuedeman said when asked about her first home game experience. “The excitement is just, I mean you can’t contain it like it’s so much fun to be home in front of the crowd and feel the energy from all of the fans.”
The Roadrunners committed three errors with one of them leading to one of the three runs scored in the ACU sixth-inning comeback. The Wildcats generated eight hits throughout the game, but UTSA limited them to only three walks because of the team’s ability to throw 59.6% strikes.
The ‘Runners’ next game will be away against the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 5 p.m. Friday at Mary Bowers Field.
