UTSA softball hosted the Charlotte 49ers for a three-game American Athletic Conference series this past weekend. The Roadrunners fell to the 49ers in each game despite launching five homers throughout the series.
Friday’s series opener saw the ‘Runners (12-33, 3-14) get bested 10-5. It was a game of home runs, with both teams combining for five, three by Charlotte and two by UTSA. Senior designated player Erykah Guerrero had a two-run blast in the first inning and senior catcher Taylor Jensen collected her third bird-bomb of the year for three runs in the fifth. Sophomore pitcher Reagan Smith started the game and went four innings while collecting three earned runs and two strikeouts and was backed up by an error-less defense.
The score got out of hand when the 49ers (25-16, 12-6) scored four runs in the third, which aided a 10-2 disadvantage by the middle of the fifth. The game was lost due to the runs allowed by the pitching staff and the lack of offense which ended the game with only five hits.
The run-rule concluded the second game of the series with a final score of 12-2. UTSA’s hit column exploded with seven hits, but it was not enough to drive in runs as they left nine runners on base. The two runs collected by the Roadrunners came in the fifth inning as a last-second attempt to delay the run-rule. Freshman right fielder Taryn Madlock doubled for her second hit of the game to center field which scored two runs.
In addition to the issues at the plate, early struggles in the circle are what ultimately hindered the ‘Runners. Freshman pitcher Iliana Saucedo and freshman pitcher Zelinda Camacho combined to allow 10 runs to pass over the plate in the first two innings. The ‘Runners pitching staff did not accumulate a single strikeout.
The final game of the series was another home run contest. The ‘Runners mashed three long balls while Charlotte hit four. The final score was 9-5, extending UTSA’s current losing streak to seven. Junior center fielder Lindsey Davis was the player with the big bat as she went yard twice for three RBI. Sophomore left fielder Madison Lenton also joined the parade with a solo shot.
The struggle in this game also came from the circle. Smith threw a phenomenal five-inning stretch but was ultimately released from her duties in the sixth. Senior pitcher Jamie Gilbert was called to relief and gave up a double which allowed the score to break open in favor of the 49ers.
The Roadrunners assembled 22 hits over the weekend and the defense almost achieved a perfect fielding series with only one error. The ultimate downfall for UTSA was the pitching, which allowed a total of 31 runs to cross the plate while only collecting five strikeouts and walking 12.
UTSA will face off against I-35 rival Texas State at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Roadrunner Field.
