RENO, Nev. — UTSA dropped a 5-4 decision in eight innings to Northern Colorado before a 10-0 run-rule loss to Nevada on Friday at the Nevada Classic.
Paige Hamilton led the Roadrunners (14-10), who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, with three hits on the day. Meanwhile, Megan Low drove in two runs and had a pair of hits.
The Bears (8-15-1) jumped ahead in the opening inning of the tournament opener on Jamie Pollak's two-out single through the left side of the infield.
However, UTSA came back with a three-run third to grab the upper hand.
Vivian Tijerina started the rally with an infield single that was followed by a bunt hit from Hamilton. Low then put the Birds up 2-1 with a double to right center that plated pinch runner Cosette Hernandez and Hamilton. After Siera Sproul lined out, Courtney Buchman singled and Low touched home on Jolene Graham’s infield hit.
Northern Colorado drew even with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame on a Tianalia Fa’asua single up the middle.
Once again, UTSA grabbed the advantage with a score, this time in the fifth and it was Samantha Beeson who came up with the run-scoring hit.
However, Morgan Yuhas erased the deficit with a one-out home run to center off UTSA reliever Alyssa Vordenbaum and the teams remained tied at four through seven innings of play.
With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, the Roadrunners were unable to score in their half of the eighth and they did not keep Northern Colorado off the board.
Lindsey Smith came up with one out and plated Jaicy Sutak with a sacrifice fly to right to end the game.
Megan Wilkinson (3-7) picked up the win for the Bears after allowing one run in the final 5.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Vordenbaum (5-4) took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits and five walks in five frames. The Pasadena native struck out five.
In the nightcap, the Wolf Pack (14-12) got two homers and five RBIs from Ashley Butera and Karlyn Jones allowed just three hits in a 10-0 victory in five innings.
Butera’s two out, three-run blast in the first gave Nevada an early lead and it tacked on two more marks in the third and another five in the fourth for the final margin. Her second long ball came in the third and Erin Jones, who went 3-for-3, added a two-run shot in the fourth.
Jones (9-4) tallied a strikeout and walked two in going the distance.
UTSA starter Haylee Staton (7-3) surrendered five runs in her three frames of work.
The Roadrunners will continue tournament play on Saturday against the same two clubs. UTSA will take on Northern Colorado at noon before a 5 p.m. tilt against the Wolf Pack.