UTSA softball visited Boca Raton this past weekend for a three-game series against Florida Atlantic University. The Roadrunners dropped all three games to the first-place American Athletic Conference Owls.
Game one saw the Roadrunners (12-37, 3-18) collect three hits and one run in their loss to the Owls with a final score of 6-1. UTSA’s single run came from a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior shortstop Camryn Robillard in the second inning. FAU (36-12, 15-5) got up early in the first inning by collecting two runs and then expanded their lead with a three-run fourth and a single-run fifth.
Early struggles in the circle from senior starting pitcher Jamie Gilbert contributed to the ‘Runners poor start, but it was the team’s inability to drive in runners who got on base that gave the game away. UTSA left five runners on base and only collected three hits, which did not give Gilbert or senior relief pitcher Kenzi Schultz the run support they needed.
The second game of the series ended via run rule in the sixth inning, with the ‘Runners losing 8-0. UTSA committed three errors in this game, but freshman center fielder Madi Hays showed signs of magic with two diving catches that prevented a few runs.
On top of the errors that were made and the scoreless run column, the pitching was a big reason why this game was lost. Sophomore pitcher Reagan Smith threw three and one-third innings with three earned runs and four walks. Freshman pitcher Zelinda Camacho came in relief for an inning and two-thirds but collected four more earned runs. Freshman pitcher Meredith Schmitt came to relieve Camacho and gave up a walk-off double that scored the two runs needed to implement the run rule.
The final game of the series ended with a score of 3-1. The only Roadrunner score of the game came off an RBI double by junior first base Sophie Campbell who scored junior left fielder Lindsey Davis. Gilbert pitched a complete game going six innings with only two earned runs under her name.
The ‘Runners’ inability to score was the underlying issue that led to this loss. While UTSA collected six hits, they also left six runners on base. A major missed opportunity came in the fourth when sophomore right fielder Maddison Lenton hit a lead-off double followed by a single from Hays, which, after an error, left runners on second and third base. These early-inning efforts were thwarted by two strikeouts and a weak pop-up to shallow center field. This loss marks UTSA’s current losing streak up to 11 games.
The Roadrunners’ defense has shown signs of great improvement over the past few series, which has magnified the fact that the pitching is not improving at the same rate. However, Gilbert’s strong outing during the third game proved that there is still some light on the pitching staff.
UTSA will face off next against UIW for a non-conference matchup at 5 p.m. Tuesday at H-E-B Field.
