SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA softball team (6-24, 2-4 C-USA) returns to weekend action with a road swing to South Florida, as the Roadrunners are slated for a three-game Conference USA series at FIU (15-18, 2-7 C-USA). The Roadrunners and Panthers will square off on Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium, Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2. All three contests are scheduled for live streaming on CUSA.tv.
About UTSA
Making only the second trip of the season requiring a flight, and the first in the Eastern Timezone, UTSA had the opportunity for rest and restoration during a BYE last weekend after six consecutive weeks of competition. The Roadrunners had a tough outing in the previous series, suffering a sweep at the hands of defending Conference USA tournament champion North Texas in Denton. However, the Roadrunners opened the Conference USA slate with a 2-1 series victory over UTEP at home, racking up 23 hits and 12 walks to score 20 runs across the first two games – both victories.
On Tuesday, UTSA traveled to 21st-ranked Baylor, where the Bears pulled away to an 8-0 win after a pitcher's duel in the early innings.
On the heels of facing three consecutive effective-pitching opponents that each held a team sub 2.00-ERA, UTSA is averaging 4.1 runs per game and recording averages of 6.7 hits and 4.3 walks per outing – batting .252 as a team. The roadrunners have taken 14 losses in games decided by one or two runs and are looking to break through offensively back in C-USA play.
Working Extras and the Count
Building up strong extra base numbers, UTSA ranks fourth in Conference USA in doubles per game (1.33), ties for fifth in doubles (40) and is fourth in home runs (19). The Roadrunners have also separated themselves in the conference for walks drawn all season long, moving in and out of the national statistical leader spot and currently own 130 free passes. For the effort, UTSA holds a .360 on-base percentage.
UTSA in the rankings
The Roadrunners' briefly reclaimed the national walks statistical lead in walks drawn, but the quality of opposing pitching over the past five games bumped UTSA down to sixth in the NCAA with 130 free passes – still leading Western Kentucky by five in the C-USA rankings.
UTSA's 40 doubles comes in at 72nd nationally, while ranking 74th in doubles per game among the NCAA's first tier of two-baggers. The Roadrunners' 0.63 home runs per game is 99th in the country, as is UTSA's .360 on-base percentage.
Defensively, UTSA's 0.33 double plays per game lists at 78th in the NCAA, collecting a total of 10 double plays this season. With a fielding percentage at .968, UTSA comes in at 68th nationally and fourth in C-USA.
Individually, junior shortstop Kat Ibarra fell just out of the top rankings for doubles with her total at 10, but is still ranked 43rd in doubles per game with a C-USA second-best 0.33. She's also 108th nationally and sixth in C-USA with 36 hits on the year. Super senior Marena Estell's three (3) sac flies ties for 42nd in the NCAA and is second among Conference USA players.
Shouldering the Workload
Ibarra has proven to be a cornerstone of both the offensive and defensive efforts for the Roadrunners this season, more than living up to her Preseason All-Conference USA nod. Demonstrating why she was also a C-USA first-teamer a year ago, Ibarra is leading the team with a .356 average, while earning team highs in hits (36), slugging percentage (.525), on-base percentage (.444), doubles (10), triples (2), walks (16), stolen bases (6) and has the fewest strikeouts among full-time starters (14). Ibarra also shares the team lead of 20 runs with freshman Lilly Hood and has 10 RBI. Defensively, Ibarra has been a roadblock for opponents, pacing the Roadrunners with 43 assists (with 53 putouts), seven (7) double plays and has delivered the tag on six caught-stealing plays.
Adding to the Output
Working behind the plate and at first, two-time junior college National Champion from Florida SouthWestern State College, Taylor Jensen is batting .321 with 26 hits, including three (3) doubles and three (3) home runs, notching 13 RBI and nine (9) runs. Behind the plate, Jensen wiped out 6-of-14 steal attempts against her and facilitated three (3) double plays. Also a member of the Preseason C-USA team as a utility, Estell bats .290 with four (4) doubles, three (3) home runs, 17 RBI and 10 runs since sitting out the first five games. Joining in the extra-base effort, junior catcher Erykah Guerrero has the lead on the long ball for now with four (4) bombs, but three Roadrunners have three (3) apiece. Hitting .259 at third base, sophomore Camryn Robillard ranks second in UTSA RBI (14) and third in runs scored (13), chipping in five (5) doubles and three (3) home runs. On defense, the hot corner has proved busy for Robillard, collecting 36 assists and 23 putouts.
Back in the Sunshine State
Jenson not only played her JUCO ball at FSW, she originally hails from Melbourne, and is a graduate of Viera High School. At Viera, she played volleyball and softball, batting .469 with six (6) home runs as a senior and was Space Coast Daily Breakfast of Champions Softball Player of the Year. Sophomore outfielder Lindsey Davis also returns back to her home state, coming out of Monticello and Wakulla High School.
Series vs. FIU
Facing the Panthers for the 13th time, UTSA leads the short overall series 7-5, dating back to 2014. UTSA won the home series last year after winning the first two games and did the same previous time around – going 2-1 against FIU in Miami in early March 2018. Overall, UTSA is 3-3 when facing FIU in Miami.
About the FIU Panthers
At 15-18 on the year, the Panthers are on a four-game slide coming off of a road sweep at UAB last weekend. FIU was able to steal one at home against Louisiana Tech in the prior series and won the finale at Charlotte. The Panthers are hitting .274 to rank fourth in C-USA and record an average of 3.7 runs on 7.0 hits per outing. FIU has not seen the greatest success in extra bases, coming in ninth among C-USA teams in doubles (36) and tied for last in home runs – in sharp contrast to some of UTSA's recent opposition. The Panthers do make up for the extras with base movement, ranking second in C-USA and 35th nationally in stolen bases per game on a 1.88 per game average – stealing 62 so far.
The Panthers do play a disciplined brand of defense, ranking 40th nationally with a C-USA third-best .974 fielding percentage, in addition to freshman catcher Isabella Perez' No. 4 national ranking for catching 13 would-be base thieves. Top pitcher, freshman Megan Kruger ranks 61st in the NCAA in hits allowed per seven innings and holds a 2.09 ERA, 5-3 and has limited opponents to .200 hitting across 47.0 innings. As a pitching staff, FIU has a 4.21 ERA and allows 4.5 runs and 7.2 hits per game.
At the plate for the Panthers, Perez is hitting .346 with seven (7) doubles, a team-high 20 RBI and 12 runs scored. Sophomore shortstop Ashton Landsell is the counterpunch, hitting .316 with a team-high 30 hits, including five (5) home runs, four (4) doubles and a triple. Landsell leads FIU in both stolen bases with an NCAA 11th-best 21 and runs scored (26).
For the Panthers, head coach Mike Larabee is in his second season at FIU with a record of 34-49 (.410), and a career mark of 437-445 (.495) over 17 years and four programs.
UTSA Series Coverage at FIU
Friday, March 31 – 5:00 p.m. (CT)
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: FIU
Saturday, April 1 – 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: FIU
Sunday, April 2 – 12:00 p.m. (CT)
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: FIU
-UTSA-