SAN MARCOS, Texas – Opening up tournament play at the TXST Classic on Thursday, the UTSA softball team (3-10) lost a pair of defensive clashes to host Texas State (7-4) and UT Arlington (6-5). Each contest was decided by only a single run on the opening day of action at the Bobcat Softball Stadium.
Game one: Texas State
Saying that UTSA and Texas State set a defensive tone for the tournament would be a notable understatement. All three games of the day were one-run contests and TXST versus UTA went to nine innings. While the outside temperatures were comfortable in the 70s, the blustery 20+ mph wind blowing in from right field didn't do any favors toward the Roadrunners squaring off against a solid Texas State defense. Meeting their opponent head on, UTSA delivered a highlight-worthy defensive effort of their own in the one-run contest.
The Bobcats were able to get too many runners aboard early for their first score, with TXST first baseman JJ Smith collecting a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to edge ahead 1-0 in the first. That's when the Roadrunners started to flex their defensive muscle, not allowing a runner past second base for the next five innings. Helping deliver that performance, the deadly combination of catcher Taylor Jensen and shortstop Kat Ibarra picked off two would-be base thieves. Meanwhile, Emily Johnson at second base and Lilly Hood in right field made key plays that kept the Bobcats at bay.
However, the Bobcats doled out the same defensive challenge to the Roadrunners, dealing UTSA its first shutout of the season in the 1-0 loss.
The Roadrunners matched the Bobcats with six hits in the contest, but only produced two opportunities with runners in scoring position. Ibarra and Madison Lenton led the way, both hitting 2-for-3, while Emily Dear and Camryn Robillard chipped in the remaining hits.
Despite being at the center of arguably the best defensive effort of the season, Marena Estell (2-2) took the loss after going a complete 6.0 innings, allowing the lone run on six hits. In the circle for TXST, Tori McCann (3-1) tossed the 7.0-inning complete game shutout with six hits allowed.
Game two: UT Arlington
Almost an extension of the effort against Texas State, the Roadrunners carried another tough defensive outing nearly all the way to victory off key hits by Ibarra and Erykah Guerrero, but UTSA couldn't hold back a sweeping Mavericks rally in the final frame of the 4-3 walk-off.
Ibarra was definitely ready to get things moving against UT Arlington, squaring the second pitch of the game into right field and legging out her first triple of the season. The wait on third wasn't lengthy, as Lilly Hood's RBI groundout gave UTSA the first-inning advantage.
The Mavericks leaned into the small ball opportunity in the third, pushing a leadoff walk over on a sacrifice bunt, then sending her to the plate on Zaia Castruita's game-tying RBI single deep to right center.
The Roadrunners racked up some solid defensive plays, with Ibarra registering another runner caught stealing on a throw from Guerrero and an outstanding Robillard diving catch to snag a popped bunt to keep the game tied.
UTSA swung back in front in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on a Madison Lenton leadoff double. Pulling the ball on a 1-1 count, Guerrero went yard deep to left field for her third home run of the season, second this week and the 3-1 lead.
With the Roadrunners carrying the advantage into the final frame, the Mavericks turned up the pressure quickly. Marley Neises led off with a double just outside Ciarra Mata's reach at the left field wall, then Reagan Hukill smacked a nearly identical ball to trim the lead on an RBI double. Hukill scored and tied the game on an outfield error, chasing off starting pitcher Jamie Gilbert.
Reliever Kenzi Schultz and the UTSA defenders couldn't hold back UTA, as Lindsey Franklin pushed Kimber Cortemelia across the plate with an RBI walk for the 4-3 walk-off win.
Seven different batters put up a hit for UTSA, and Ibarra extended her reached base streak to 19 games.
Gilbert (1-3) takes the loss on a near complete game, going 6.1 innings and striking out a season-best six batters. For the Mavs, Gracie Bumpurs (2-1) earned the win, closing out the final 2.0 innings.
There are no tournament games for the Roadrunners scheduled on Friday, but UTSA returns to action on Saturday at the TXST Classic, squaring off with Kansas and Colorado State.
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