· Game 1 box score
· Game 2 box score
Sophomore Caitlyn Ivy continued her hot-hitting ways with four hits on Wednesday.
HOUSTON — Sophomore Caitlyn Ivy collected four hits and junior Emily Humpal and sophomore Morgan Luksa tossed complete games to help lead the UTSA softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Houston Baptist, 3-1 and 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Husky Field.
With the two victories, the Roadrunners now have won eight of their last nine games in running their season record to 20-26. The Huskies fell to 15-25 and just 2-10 all-time against UTSA.
Ivy had one of six hits in the lid-lifter and went 3-for-3 with an RBI in the nightcap to lead UTSA at the plate, while senior Krista Sitka, who broke Krystal Gibson’s career putouts record, had three base knocks on the afternoon, including a double in game two.
Meanwhile, Luksa tossed a three-hitter in the opener and Humpal hurled a four-hitter in the second game to lead a strong effort in the circle by UTSA.
The Roadrunners pounded out nine hits in game two, a combined five from Ivy and Sitka.
UTSA plated a pair of runs behind three hits and an error in the top of the first. Ivy singled up the middle of the infield, moved to second on an error off the bat of junior Danye Holmes and scored on base hit to center field by Sitka. Freshman Samantha Beeson then doubled to the gap in right center to drive in Holmes with the second run of the inning.
HBU got a run back in the bottom of the first with the benefit of an error. Laine Skelton singled to left, moved to second on a passed ball. Mollye Mlcak then doubled to left field and the throw into second base got away, allowing Skelton to score on the play.
UTSA pushed the lead to 4-1 over the next two panels. An RBI single to left by Ivy in the second plated sophomore Nikki Goff, who led off with a single up the middle, in the second.
In the third, Holmes drew a leadoff walk and senior pinch runner Chelsey Chapman moved to third on a line-drive double off the center field wall by Sitka. Sophomore Laura Little then drove in Chapman with a sacrifice fly to center to give the Roadrunners a three-run cushion.
That would be more than enough for Humpal, who fanned six and allowed just one unearned run on four hits and two walks to run her record to 11-13.
Beth Evans (3-8) struck out three but gave up two earned runs on nine hits and a pair of free passes in the loss. Skelton led the Huskies at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Luksa (3-5) picked up her third win of the season in the opener, allowing just one run on the three hits and three walks in the complete game.
UTSA took advantage of an error to push across a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. A single to right center by sophomore Laura Little moved Sitka, who reached on a fielder’s choice, to third with one out. Senior Cassie Miller then walked to load the bases for Chapman. She grounded a ball back to the pitcher that went off her leg and scooted around the infield, allowing two runners to score.
HBU broke through for its first hit with two outs in the bottom of the fourth on a bloop single to right field by Mlcak that landed just between the outstretched gloves of sophomore second baseman Ashley Kappler and senior center fielder Rudi Cantu.
The Huskies threatened to score in the next frame, as Skelton lined a two-out double over the head of Chapman in right field, but Chapman and the shortstop Ivy executed a perfect relay throw home to nail Kaitlin Southerland, who tried to score all the way from first base.
The Roadrunners tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Senior Cassie Miller drew a one-out walk and senior pinch runner Kelly Cato advanced to third on a sharp ground ball single just inside the first base bag by Chapman. Cato then scored easily on a groundout to second base by Cantu.
HBU brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Mlcak walked to start the frame and moved to second on a groundout to the pitcher by Kate Maddock. Jaymie Heibel then grounded a ball to the shortstop for what appeared to be the second out of the inning, but the throw to the first baseman was mishandled, allowing Mlcak to score all the way from second. Southerland then singled through the left side of the infield to put runners at first and second with one out. Luksa worked out of the jam with a fly ball to left field and a groundout to the right side.
Kristi Malpass (3-9) struck out four, but allowed three runs, two unearned, on six hits and seven walks in the loss.
The Roadrunners return home for the final time this season when they host I-35 rival Texas State in a three-game Southland Conference series this Friday-Saturday.