SAN ANTONIO — UTSA softball suffered its first conference loss of the season against the University of North Texas, losing 11-6 on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
After achieving a school record 7-0 start to the conference season on Friday, the Roadrunners (18-14, 7-1 AC) failed to score in the first four innings, while co-conference leader North Texas (17-14, 7-1 AC) put up eight runs on UTSA’s four-pitcher rotation. Sophomore pitcher Ava Eldridge forced North Texas’ first scoreless inning of the game in the fifth inning and UTSA cut the lead in half with a four-run effort in the bottom of the frame. North Texas then hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to put the game completely out of reach.
“We’re going to score. The defense and the pitching has to keep us in it,” coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We don’t go away. We make them change the pitcher late in the game when they think they’re going to run-rule us. I can’t say enough positive things about that. That’s grit and that’s pluck. That’s what we’ve got to have to win games in this league.”
The Mean Green scored two runs in the first inning, and Stuedeman replaced freshman starting pitcher Aubrey Flores before the ‘Runners’ defense could record an out. North Texas’ lead-off batters reached base in each of the first three innings, and the Mean Green scored two runs in each inning on eight hits. In the fourth inning, a ball bounced high on senior shortstop Katia Reyes and rolled into the outfield, allowing two more runs to come home to create an 8-0 Mean Green lead. On offense, UTSA stranded six runners on the bases in the first three innings, starting most of the action on the bases with two outs already.
Saturday’s game paid tribute to UTSA softball alumni, as many former players gathered on the field pregame and were commemorated for their contributions. The ceremony showcased the community that athletics creates, even across generations.
“Anybody wants to feel a sense of community. It’s a network. It’s a tie that you have to someone that you may or may not know,” Stuedeman said. “These are lifelong relationships that they are forming. It’s important to me that they feel that environment. Both sides: the current players and the alumni.”
North Texas outhit UTSA 15-11. UTSA committed two errors in the game and stranded eight runners on base. Sophomore infielder Makayla Madrid led the team with three RBIs in a 4-4 performance from the plate.
The Roadrunners will face North Texas in the series finale at noon on Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
