· Oklahoma State box score
· Alabama box score
SAN MARCOS — Senior Jessica Rogers launched a dramatic grand slam in the fifth inning to give UTSA a 6-5 lead, but Krystle Sanchez doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to lift Oklahoma State to a 7-6 win over UTSA on Saturday night in the CenturyTel Classic at Bobcat Field.
Trailing 5-2 with one out in the top of the fifth inning, Rogers cleared the bases with her 52nd career home run to put the Roadrunners on top, 6-5. Junior transfer Lindsay Perry reached on an error to start the frame and a single by redshirt freshman Kelly Cato put runners at first and second. Sophomore Leanne Risberg was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Rogers’ first long ball of the season, which chased OSU starter Chelsey Barclay. Rogers finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
After a scoreless sixth, the Cowgirls put their rally caps on in their last at-bat. Kim Kaye singled, stole second and scored on a single by Shianne Cruce. Sanchez then lined a double to the gap in right center to plate Cruce with the game-winner.
Sophomore Rachel Rackley put UTSA on the board first, doubling home Rogers and freshman Rudi Cantu in the top of the first inning.
OSU answered with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame, capped by a bases-loaded walk to Megan Castle. Sanchez added a home run in the third to push the lead to three.
Jessica Hoppock earned the win in relief, holding the Roadrunners to just one hit in two and two-thirds innings to run her record to 3-0. Nikolenko (0-3) pitched brilliantly in relief for UTSA, striking out six in six innings, but was tagged with the loss.
Earlier Saturday, UTSA dropped a 10-3 decision to No. 7 Alabama. Murray and Rackley both had one hit and an RBI apiece, while Cantu and freshman Brittany Bell had a base knock each.
The Crimson Tide pounded out 13 hits, including 3-run home runs from Dani Woods and Lauren Parker, and took advantage of five Roadrunners errors in the win.
UTSA struck first for a run on an RBI-double to left by Rackley, but Alabama used a five-run third, including Woods’ blast, and three more runs in the fourth on Parker’s long ball to break the game open.
Charlotte Morgan struck out three and allowed three runs – two earned – on four hits in earning her first win of the season. Nikolenko (0-2) took the loss for the Roadrunners.
The Roadrunners face Texas State in the consolation game at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
