SAN ANTONIO — UTSA softball fell 10-0 to No. 1 ranked University of Texas at Austin in their final game of the UTSA Invitational Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
The talent disparity between the two teams was apparent in this game as the Longhorns (4-1) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through the first two innings. The Roadrunners (0-3) tried to keep up but stranded runners throughout the game. Ultimately, bad pitching, multiple errors and strikeouts from UTSA’s batters led to their defeat.
UTSA ran into trouble in the top of the first inning. Junior pitcher Meredith Schmitt walked three batters in the inning and allowed one to score on a wild pitch, leading to a 1-0 Texas lead.
After a scoreless inning from the Roadrunners, the Longhorns scored again in the second inning. Outfielder Ashton Maloney placed an RBI double into shallow left field which scored outfielder Alisa Sneed. UTSA brought in freshman pitcher Arlette Hernandez who quickly loaded the bases. Infielder Viviana Martinez hit a routine groundout to second base, but a throwing error by sophomore utility Sabrina Wick allowed her to reach base and two more runs to score.
Wick had two more errors in the third inning, this time with two outs. The first error was a fielding error and the second was a throwing error. The ‘Runners were able to limit any potential damage in the inning as infielder MaTaia Lawson flew out to left field.
The Roadrunners looked to gain some momentum in the bottom of the third inning but came up empty. Sophomore outfielder Skylar Rucker caught the Longhorn infield sleeping as she stole second base. Shortly after, Wick grounded out to pitcher Hannah Wells, leaving Rucker stranded.
Texas extended its lead in the top of the fourth after Hernandez allowed a single, an infield single and a walk. The Longhorns attempted a double steal which scored outfielder Kayden Henry and gave the Longhorns a 5-0 cushion. With two outs and two Longhorns on base, Sneed roped a double down the left field line adding another insurance run.
The ‘Runners showed signs of life with an infield single from junior outfielder Samantha Mundine and a walk from redshirt sophomore catcher Makayla Madrid, but they were left stranded.
The fifth inning sealed UTSA’s fate. After another pitching change, sophomore pitcher Reagan Stoudt gave up three home runs to infielder Caigan Crabtree and catchers Reese Atwood and Katie Stewart, giving the Longhorns a 10-0 victory.
The ‘Runners had just three hits from three players while the Longhorns had 11 hits from nine different players. UTSA left five runners on base and struck out four times while committing three errors.
UTSA will next play Southern Illinois University Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Nancy Almaraza Stadium.
