FULLERTON, Calif. — Bailee Baldwin had a pair of extra-base hits and four RBIs, while pitchers Lizzy Fox and Chelsea Parker each recorded a win and a save to lead UTSA to a pair of wins on the second day of the Titans Classic.
The Roadrunners (2-2) evened their record with a 3-2 victory over San Diego State (1-2) and a triumph over Canisius (0-3) with the same score. Madison Kinley (3-for-6) and Alyssa Cummings (2-for-4) each hit .500 to help lead the offense, while Randee Crawford hit the club’s first home run of the 2016 season.
In the first game of the day, Fox and Parker made Baldwin’s three-run double in the third stand up as the Roadrunners claimed their first win of the season, 3-2, over San Diego State.
Making just the second start of her career, Fox allowed a run in the first as the Aztecs, who received votes in the preseason ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Poll, got on the board with a triple and fielding error.
However, UTSA did all the damage that it would need two innings later.
Tess Soefje reached on an error before Crawford worked the count full and drew a walk in an eight-pitch plate appearance. The pair were lifted for pinch runners Hailey Garza and Stephanie Money, respectively, and Chelsea Thomas loaded the bases with a walk against reliever Alex Formby.
Baldwin ripped Formby’s 3-1 pitch to center field for a double that cleared the bases and put the Roadrunners ahead, 3-1.
San Diego State got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, but Fox limited the damage and exited the game following the sixth inning, which included a double play from Erica Sanchez to Madison Kinley.
In the seventh, the Aztecs put the tying run on base with a one-out infield single. However, Parker got a grounder and a strikeout to close the game and pick up the fourth save of her career, while Fox (1-1) grabbed the win.
In the second game of the day, UTSA got on the board first with a run in the third inning following Baldwin’s two-out, RBI triple that scored Soefje.
Canisius tied the score with a run in the fourth with a pair of doubles. The Golden Griffons could have had more if not for a spectacular defensive play from Kinley to throw out a runner at home.
However, Canisius took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Lindsey Silfer started the frame with a solo homer.
Down to its final three outs, Crawford quickly took some of the drama out of the seventh inning as she took the second pitch of the panel out of the park to tie the score 2-2. Baldwin laid down a bunt single and moved to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt.
Kinley then delivered what proved to be the game-winning hit with a double to left-center field that plated Baldwin.
Fox came on in relief of Parker (1-1), who struck out three in her six innings, and nailed down the first save of her career with a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
The Roadrunners will wrap up play at the Titans Classic with a noon (CT) contest against San Diego State.
