| Junior Kristin Kappler launched a three-run home run in the first on Wednesday. |
SAN ANTONIO – Junior Kristin Kappler slugged a three-run home run and junior Danye Holmes tossed her second complete game in as many days, as UTSA defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
With the win, the Roadrunners improved to 6-11 overall and 2-1 in Southland Conference play. The Islanders fell to 13-5 and 1-2.
Kappler went 2-for-3, including her fourth long ball of the season to lead UTSA at the plate, while Holmes (2-3) struck out four and allowed four runs on five hits in earning her second win in as many days.
Sophomore Caitlyn Ivy went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored and she launched her team-leading seventh home run of the season, while senior Rudi Cantu hit her first triple of the season and seventh of her career, tying her with Shannon Steadman for the school’s all-time record.
UTSA struck first on Kristin Kappler’s three-run blast in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Ashley Kappler got things going with a one-out single to center and she moved to second on a walk to Ivy. Kristin Kappler then launched her home run to left with two down to stake the Roadrunners to an early lead.
The Islanders responded with a three-run homer of their own in the top of the second, this one from Margo Hurdt. Meagan McKinney led off with a single to left field and advanced to second on an infield single by Kacie Smith, but was thrown out trying to reach third on the play. A one-out walk to Brittany Tucker set the stage for Hurdt’s round-tripper, her second of the series off of Holmes.
Cantu led off the third with her record-tying three-bagger and scored on a safety squeeze bunt to the right side by Ashley Kappler. Ivy followed with a long solo shot into the trees beyond the right field fence to put UTSA up, 5-3.
Holmes would make the lead hold, although the Islanders made things interesting in the top of the seventh.
Smith led off the frame with a solo homer to center field to cut the deficit to one run. After a couple of strikeouts, pinch hitter Landry Moore was hit by a pitch and pinch hitter Sandy Schumann drew a four-pitch walk to put a pair of runners on. Holmes worked out of the jam with a foul out to the catcher by leadoff batter Hannah Schwarz.
The Roadrunner dealt Elena Crabtree her first loss of the season, as she fell to 8-1 after surrendering five runs on six hits. Smith led the offense by going 2-for-3.
The Roadrunners will host Stephen F. Austin in a three-game series this weekend at Roadrunner Field.