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| Senior Jessica Rogers became the SLC's all-time home run leader on Thursday night. |
SAN ANTONIO — Senior Jessica Rogers broke the Southland Conference career home run record, but Meagan Denny struck out 15 Roadrunners to help No. 8 Texas to a 4-1 victory on Thursday night in front of 556 people at the first-ever night game at Roadrunner Field.
Rogers became the league’s all-time home runs leader with her 56th round-tripper, the fifth long ball of the season for the South Grand Prairie High School product. She broke the record of 55 set by former Roadrunner Christy Brownlee from 2000-04.
Rogers’ home run was one of only two hits off Denny, who walked just two batters in running her record to 12-2 on the season.
The Longhorns (20-3) collected 10 hits, including two homers, in winning their 11th straight game. Shannon Thomas was 3-for-4, while Kori Cook and Jacqueline Williams had two hits apiece.
After three scoreless innings, Williams put the Longhorns on the board with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth.
Rogers tied the score in the bottom of the frame with her monster blast over the scoreboard in left field. That run was the first allowed by the Texas pitching staff over the last 37 innings.
Texas pushed two runs across in the fifth. Tallie Thrasher led off with a line drive home run to left to put the Longhorns ahead, 2-1. Megan Willis then doubled down the right field line and pinch runner Brittany Reliford scored on a single to left field by Kori Cook.
The Roadrunners threatened in the bottom of the sixth as Rogers drew a two-out walk and senior Aimee Murray singled through the right side of the infield. However, Rogers was thrown out on a close play at third base to end the frame.
Junior Amanda Nikolenko (6-9) allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out four in the loss.
The Roadrunners hit the road for a three-game conference series against Southeastern Louisiana this Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11, in Hammond, La.