SAN ANTONIO — A late rally brought UTSA softball within striking distance of No. 9 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but the ’Runners ultimately fell short in a 6–3 loss on Saturday at Roadrunner Field on day two of the UTSA Invitational.
Trailing 6-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, UTSA (0-2) suddenly flipped the energy of the game. A bases-loaded rally cut the deficit to three and rattled a Nebraska (3-1) squad fresh off a victory over No. 1 University of Texas at Austin. The Roadrunners packed the bases and brought the tying run to the plate, forcing visible tension from the Huskers before two late strikeouts halted a comeback that briefly felt inevitable.
“One of our big things this year is composure, and we always want to win the late innings,” coach Vann Steudeman said. “We’re trying to stay present in the game and give ourselves a chance to win in the fifth, sixth and seventh, and it looks like tonight we embraced that.”
The performance marked a sharp response from the Roadrunners after Friday’s lopsided defeat to the University of Washington. Against Nebraska, UTSA showed early signs of life, even as the Cornhuskers built a cushion behind three home runs. Right-handed pitcher Jordy Frahm launched a solo shot in the second and left-handed pitcher Hannah Camenzind later added a two-run homer that pushed the margin to 5–1.
“You saw the difference between our game last night and today. It’s night and day,” junior outfielder Taryn Madlock said. “It’s the discipline in having a plan at the plate, trusting that our coaches have done all the work behind the scenes for us, and going up there and trusting what we see and putting it in play.”
UTSA kept pressure on Nebraska throughout the middle innings. Madlock put the ’Runners on the board with an RBI single in the third and finished 2-for-4 to lead a lineup that ultimately out-hit the Cornhuskers 10–6. Redshirt sophomore catcher Makayla Madrid sparked the decisive sixth-inning rally with a double to deep center. Senior infielder Caton Letbetter followed with a pinch-hit single and freshman outfielder Demiree Stafford laid down a bunt to load the bases. A throwing error allowed one run to score before sophomore outfielder Skylar Rucker lined an RBI single to left center, trimming the deficit and shifting momentum toward UTSA. Nebraska escaped with consecutive strikeouts, stranding three runners and preserving its lead.
The tension carried into the seventh when junior outfielder Samantha Mundine ripped a triple down the right field line with no outs. The tying run stood in scoring position before a chaotic rundown at the plate erased the chance and stalled the final push. The Cornhuskers recorded the last two outs moments later, narrowly sealing the win.
Sophomore pitcher Reagan Stoudt took the loss after allowing three runs in two innings, while UTSA’s bullpen combined to steady the game after the early damage. Despite stranding nine runners, UTSA matched a top-10 opponent hit for hit and kept the outcome in doubt until the final inning.
“We’re not playing the name on their shirt. We’re playing the game,” Madlock said. “Whoever puts their best game out there, no matter the ranking, it’s anyone’s game to take.”
UTSA will stay home to face No.1 Texas at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Roadrunner Field on day three of the UTSA Invitational.
