UTSA softball lost 8-0 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (16-25, 3-15 AAC) were unable to cool down the Blazers (19-23, 8-10 AAC) in their weekend series finale. After UTSA allowed seven runs in the top of the third inning, the ‘Runners struggled to fight back, resulting in the eventual blowout.
Following their comeback victory on Saturday, the ‘Runners looked to secure the series win but could not get their offense going past the first inning. The opening frame was the only one where the ‘Runners had a runner in scoring position and multiple runners on base.
UTSA looked to get things going in the bottom of the second when sophomore outfielder Taryn Madlock hit a triple that would have allowed junior utility Madison Hornback to score. Unfortunately, the play was called back as Hornback left first base early.
This was not the only instance where the Roadrunners displayed poor baserunning. In the fourth frame, freshman infielder Sabrina Wick hit a fly ball to left field, and the Blazers doubled up on senior utility Crislyne Moreno who forgot to run back to first base.
The Blazers took advantage of the call in the top of the third. Outfielder Bella Wiggins hit an RBI infield single that allowed utility Hannah Dorsett to score unearned thanks to a Hornback throwing error.
There were multiple innings where the Blazers hit the ball in the direction of UTSA defenders and were unable to get their glove on the ball. Even when the Roadrunners had the opportunity to make a play defensively, it resulted in an error.
Consecutive RBI singles from outfielder Hope Tucker and infielder Lindsey Smith increased the lead. Shortly after, UTSA freshman pitcher Ava Eldridge allowed a grand slam to infielder Alyssa Aguilar that put the Roadrunners in a seven run hole.
Alabama-Birmingham added an insurance run in the top of the seventh thanks to a solo home run by Aguilar that bounced off the scoreboard, extending the lead to 8-0.
UTSA had more hits than runs scored with three in 23 at-bats compared to Alabama-Birmingham’s 13 hits in 32 at-bats. The ‘Runners rotation allowed eight runs on 13 hits, while walking three batters and striking out three. The Blazers allowed just three hits as they struck out four batters and walked two. Each team committed one error each.
The ‘Runners have struggled to defeat conference opponents all season, hence the 3-15 record. If they want to improve going forward under coach Vann Stuedeman, they have to beat teams that are better than them because that’s what the best teams do; they beat good teams.
UTSA will next face I-35 rival Texas State University at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Roadrunner Field.
English
Spanish