| Senior Jessica Rogers' two-out single plated two and gave UTSA its first victory of 2007. |
SAN MARCOS — Senior Jessica Rogers’ two-RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the difference, as UTSA edged rival Texas State, 3-2, on Friday night in the CenturyTel Classic held at Bobcat Field.
Trailing 2-1, Rogers singled to left field to score sophomore Leanne Risberg, who doubled to right center to start the frame, and freshman Chelsey Chapman, a pinch runner for freshman Brittany Bell, who had reached on an infield single.
Rogers, Risberg and Bell joined senior Aimee Murray and sophomore Rachel Rackley with one hit apiece as the Roadrunners (1-1) touched Texas State starter Sarah Lancour with two earned runs in seven innings.
Junior Janeille Nickels picked up a win in her first career start for UTSA, allowing two runs (one unearned) on six hits and striking out five. Junior Amanda Nikolenko earned the save with two scoreless innings of relief.
The Bobcats (0-2) struck first with a run in the top of the second. Ali McCormack drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice off the bat of Alex Newton.
The Roadrunners answered with a run in the bottom of the second as Murray walked, advanced to second on a groundout and stole third before scoring on a fielding error off the bat of Risberg.
Texas State took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Chelsea Giroux that plated Haley Koop.
That set the stage for Rogers’ heroics as the Roadrunners finished the opening day of the tournament 1-1. UTSA fell 5-3 to Oklahoma State earlier Friday.
UTSA faces two-time Women’s College World Series participant Alabama, which won both games Friday, at 10 a.m. on Saturday before bracket play begins at 3 p.m.