SAN ANTONIO — Freshman utility Brookelynn Meador hit a game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning, helping UTSA softball defeat the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 5-4 on Friday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (23-27, 11-11 American) started strong with a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but Charlotte (26-24, 10-12 American) quickly caught up and maintained the lead for the next three innings. After several scoreless innings, UTSA launched two back-to-back homers, tying the game 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Meador scored the final run of the game, giving UTSA the win after two extra innings.
After a scoreless first inning, freshman outfielder Demiree Stafford sent senior pitcher/infielder Katia Reyes home, putting UTSA on the board first. Maintaining the momentum, sophomore utility Sabrina Wick sent Stafford home, giving UTSA a 2-0 lead.
The 49ers instantly closed the gap, scoring three consecutive runs in the top of the third. Charlotte scored another run in the top of the fourth inning, increasing the lead to 4-2.
Despite those four runs, freshman pitcher Arlette Hernandez settled in and held Charlotte scoreless through the final five innings.
“A lot of things were going through my head, but going into the mound, I just try to clear my mind and focus on one batter at a time,” Hernandez said after the game.
Sophomore outfielder Skylar Rucker hit the first home run of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Shortly after, junior outfielder Taryn Madlock hit a home run of her own, tying the game 4-4 and forcing the game into extra-innings.
Wick scored the final run of the game in the ninth, sealing the win.
There were several key players in Friday’s game who made an impact, according to coach Vann Stuedeman.
“Arlette obviously threw really well on the mound. Skylar Rucker, Taryn Madlock, Sabrina Wick, and Brookelynn Meador were all very clutch at the play,” she said.
Wick led the team in hits with three, while five different Roadrunners tied for the lead in RBIs with one a piece. Hernandez notched her 16th complete game in the win.
