SAN ANTONIO — UTSA out-hit Sam Houston State, 8-6, but the Roadrunners left 10 runners on base in a 2-1 loss to the Bearkats in Friday's series opener at Roadrunner Field.
Jolene Graham went 2-for-3 drove home UTSA's lone run with a double in the sixth. The Roadrunners (9-8), who had at least one base runner in each inning, were just 3-for-16 with runners on base and 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Shelby Lancaster (6-3) allowed one run on eight hits in a complete-game effort for Sam Houston State (8-10).
After UTSA starter Haylee Staton retired the side in order to start the game, the Bearkats got on the board in the second when Hilary Adams opened the frame with her fifth home run of the season.
Sam Houston State pushed the advantage to 2-0 in the fifth when Kim Damian singled to center to plate Alyssa Coggins. The hit ended Staton’s night and reliever Alyssa Vordenbaum got the final out of the inning with a runner on third base.
The Roadrunners ended the shutout in the sixth with some help from the Bearkats defense.
Lancaster walked Megan Low, who was lifted for pinch runner Cosette Hernandez, to start the panel. Victoria Birdwell reached base on an error by shortstop Cecilia Castillo two batters later to put runners on first and second with one out. Graham followed with her two-bagger to left center, which cut the deficit in half. Birdwell attempted to score from first on the play, but Castillo took the throw from left fielder Jessica Slater and tossed a strike to Ashley Isbell, who tagged out the Magnolia native to preserve the lead. Lancaster then got Vivian Tijerina to pop up and end the threat.
UTSA had one last chance in the seventh when it loaded the bases with two outs.
Following a pair of ground outs to second, Darian Blake singled back to the circle and Low and Courtney Buchman walked to put the winning run on second. However, Lancaster struck out Siera Sproul, one of just two punchouts in the contest, to end the game.
Staton (5-2) gave up both runs on four hits and issued a pair of walks to go along with three strikeouts.
The weekend series concludes on Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.