Marcus Connolly, The Paisano
The UTSA Roadrunners (21-9, 5-3 C-USA) split a double header on Sunday, March 22, as the 25 ranked UAB Blazers (22-7, 7-1 C-USA) paid a visit to San Antonio.
UTSA sophomore slugger Randee Crawford drove in eight runs during game one of Sunday’s matchup, setting a school-record for RBIs. Thanks to Crawford’s contribution, UTSA ousted UAB 11-5 in game one, handing the Blazers their first conference loss of the season. The Blazers would not be swept though, pulling off a 3-2 victory in game two.
In the opener, UTSA loaded the bases early due to an error and two straight walks. Crawford drove in one run off of a fielder’s choice before UAB retired the inning, leaving the bases loaded. UTSA would not be hurt though, as they opened the flood gates and scored seven runs in the second inning.
UAB—trailing 8-0 after the second inning—began to rally in the fifth. UAB junior Caitlin Attfield knocked in two runs while her teammate JoJo Fallen sent a three-run bomb to left field to make the score 8-5 with no outs. UTSA pitcher Nicole Merrill took over the mound to relieve Kacy Freeze and put an end to UAB’s offense, striking out the first three batters she faced.
“I’ve been preparing for UAB all week. I was just ready to dominate,” said Merrill.
Merrill closed out the last three innings, only giving up one hit and one walk while striking out six of the nine batters that crossed her path. The sophomore recorded her first save of the season in the team’s victory over the Blazers.
UTSA jumped to an early lead in Game 2 due to a leadoff walk and two base hits.
UAB responded in the second inning as UAB’s Ashley Johnson hit a two-run homer over left field to give the Blazers their first lead of the series.
With the bases loaded in the top of the fifth and the score tied, UAB was able to score the final run of the game off of a wild pitch.
The games marked the Roadrunners last home contests before starting an 11 game road trip beginning in Austin as they face the Texas Longhorns in a double header on Tuesday, March 24. UTSA will not be at home again until April 18 when rival UTEP comes to town.
