UTSA softball fell to Boise State University 8-2 but bounced back with a narrow win against Le Moyne College 8-7 on Friday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (10-6) scored for the first time at the bottom of the sixth inning after being held scoreless through the first five, as the Broncos (13-4) fended them off with solid defensive plays and few errors. Recovering from the loss, UTSA held the Dolphins, (2-10) scoreless through the first three innings and jumped ahead early with five runs in the first inning.
Game One
Sophomore catcher Kalee Rochinski lined a ball between center and left field, causing Boise State to commit its first and only error of the game and allowing freshman infielder Skylar Rucker to score the team’s first run in the sixth inning. The play put two more Roadrunners into scoring position, which was capitalized upon when junior pitcher Katia Reyes sent the ball over to second, sacrificing herself but giving sophomore outfielder Sydney McReynolds time to run home and score, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Senior outfielder Lindsey Davis scored what would have been the first point of the game for UTSA, but it was overturned after freshman Sabrina Wick was called for leaving first base early.
“It was almost like bad luck,” coach Vann Stuedeman said of the call. “We finally got something going, and then it was just a little bit of bad luck.”
Freshman pitcher Kaylie Olivarez stepped in at the bottom of the third inning for freshman Reagan Stoudt after Broncos outfielder Hanna Mykenzie scored a home run, extending Boise State’s lead to 3-0.
Despite the Broncos leading throughout the game, both teams found it difficult to strike out players: pitcher Julianne Rose only managed to strike out two ‘Runners and Stoudt only one. UTSA struggled throughout the game, picking up four errors to Boise State’s one.
Game Two
Scoring the first of two home runs for UTSA at the bottom of the first inning, Reyes sent the ball over the right field wall, bringing herself and senior utility Jaylen Prichard in for the score.
The Roadrunners loaded up the bases in the first after a pitch from Le Moyne pitcher Nevaeh Ross hit senior utility Crislyne Moreno. Setting the ‘Runners up to score with Rochinski on third and freshman catcher Makayla Madrid on second, Prichard stepped into the batter’s box and hit the ball to center field, where the Dolphins defense failed to catch it — allowing Rochinski and Madrid to score the first runs of the game for the Roadrunners.
Scoring the second home run of the night at the bottom of the sixth inning, Reyes extended UTSA’s lead to 8-4 after sending the ball out of center field. The hit brought Moreno and Prichard home to score.
“We really try to execute the things that we work on,” Stuedeman said. “Quality at bats and making sure that we play solid defense. Try to focus on us and play our game, and we were able to string it together.”
UTSA struck out a combined six players throughout the game. The Roadrunners were able to accomplish nine hits compared to Le Moyne who only managed two.
The ‘Runners will continue to host the Birds Up Bash and take on University of Houston at 1 p.m. Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
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