AUSTIN — Rylee Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, but Texas used a four-run fourth inning to take control and score a 7-2 win over visiting UTSA on Wednesday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Rodriguez pushed her team-leading RBI total to 23 on the season for the Roadrunners (9-12), who will open Conference USA play on the road at Marshall this weekend. Celeste Loughman had a hit and stole a base for her 10th steal in as many attempts this spring.
Lizzy Fox took the loss in the circle with three earned runs allowed in 3.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Taylor Ellsworth went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs to pace the Longhorns (12-9), who snapped a six-game losing streak. Devon Tunning also had two hits and hit a two-run homer as part of Texas' four-run fourth inning.
UTSA had an opportunity to get on the board early when Lindsey Stewart put down a bunt to open the contest and the speedster went to second on a throwing error. But Paige von Sprecken notched back-to-back strikeouts and got a grounder to end the threat and keep the Roadrunners off the board.
The Longhorns got on the scoreboard first with an unearned run in the second inning and extended the cushion to 5-0 after their big fourth inning that included a two-run shot from Ellsworth and a solo homer by Tunning.
UTSA cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs to pull within 5-2.
Hailey Garza got things rolling for the Roadrunners with a one-out infield single and she moved to scoring position when Angelica Niño was hit by a pitch. Stewart then loaded the bases with an infield single and Rodriguez brought a pair home with another infield hit.
However, Tunning helped the Longhorns push the lead to 7-2 with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame and reliever Kristen Clark retired the Roadrunners in order in the sixth and seventh to preserve the five-run margin.
UTSA will be back in action at noon (CT) on Saturday when it will open C-USA play with a doubleheader at Marshall (14-4).
