AUSTIN — UTSA rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth to force extra innings, but Randel Leahy’s pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the eighth lifted No. 25 Texas to a 3-2 win on Tuesday night at McCombs Field.
Randee Crawford and Kaley Pyles each went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks to help lead the Roadrunners (6-16), who left 10 runners on base. Reliever Lizzy Fox took the loss after she allowed a run on five hits in 2.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Stephens went 3-for-4 and scored two runs to lead the Longhorns (15-3).
Texas jumped on top in the bottom of the first when Stephens singled to center field, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an errant throw.
However, Roadrunners starter Chelsea Parker kept Texas from adding further damage with four scoreless frames.
UTSA left six runners on base through the first five innings, but broke through for a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to grab a 2-1 advantage.
Pyles led off the frame with a walk and was lifted for pinch runner Stephanie Money. Walks to Chelsea Thomas and Erica Sanchez later in the inning loaded the bases with two outs. Longhorns shortstop Devon Tunning couldn’t handle a grounder off the bat of Angelica Niño and the error allowed both Money and Thomas to score for the lead.
But Stephens started the bottom of the panel with a triple and she scored on Stephanie Wong’s hit to knot the score at two.
Neither team could manage a run in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Reagan Hathaway lined a one-out double and touched home with the winning run on Leahy’s single to right-center for the 3-2 victory.
UTSA will open Conference USA play this weekend when it hosts North Texas (13-6). The three-game series begins with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.