LAS CRUCES, N.M. — No. 18 Nebraska scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally and hand UTSA its first loss, 11-7, on Sunday in the final game of the Hotel Encanto Invitational for both squads.
Vivian Tijerina tied a school-record with three doubles to go along with two RBIs, while Randee Crawford also doubled home a pair of runs for the Roadrunners (4-1). UTSA, which finished with a school-record-tying six doubles on the day and 23 extra-base hits in the tournament, also got RBIs from Courtney Buchman, Lindsie Knowles and Megan Low.
Meanwhile, Alicia Armstrong paced the Huskers (4-1) with two hits and three RBIs, while Cassie McClure improved to 3-0 in the circle after she allowed three hits and a run in four innings of relief.
Playing as the visiting team on the scoreboard, the Roadrunners picked up a pair of runs with two outs in the top of the first for an early lead.
Kendall Burton singled to start the game, but was cut down after a fielder’s choice and a strikeout. Tijerina walked to put runners on first and second for Crawford, who launched her third double of the young season to give UTSA a 2-0 lead.
Tijerina helped the Roadrunners extend their cushion to 3-0 in the third with a leadoff double and pinch runner Lauren White came around to score when Knowles reached on a fielder’s choice two batters later.
However, the Huskers stormed back for four runs in the bottom of the inning to grab their first advantage of the day. Armstrong provided the big hit of the inning with a three-run homer to left before MJ Knighten stole home to give Nebraska a 4-3 edge.
UTSA answered the Huskers’ rally with one of their own in the fourth, when it jumped back ahead with four runs.
Jade Smith and Burton started the rally with back-to-bac k singles to open the frame and Buchman’s double down the left-field line knotted the score, 4-4. Low followed with a run-scoring single to left and Tijerina’s second double of the day plated pinch runner Angelica Niño and Buchman for a 7-4 lead.
Nebraska got one run back in the bottom of the inning to pull within 7-5 and took the lead for good with its six-run sixth inning.
A walk with the bases loaded and wild pitch allowed the Huskers to tie the game, 7-7, and Kat Woolman punched a single up the middle to score the go-ahead run. Laura Barrow knocked in a run with a single and Kaylan Jablonski’s pinch-hit double pushed two more across the plate for the 11-7 lead.
UTSA had one final chance in the seventh, but McClure retired the side in order to close the contest.
Nicole Merrill took the loss for the Roadrunners and she fell to 1-1 on the season after allowing five runs on four hits with three walks in 2.1 innings of relief.
UTSA will be back in action next weekend with five games from Feb. 13-15 at the CenturyLink Classic in San Marcos.