SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA softball team used a four-run sixth inning to rally and eventually defeat Houston Baptist, 8-7, at Roadrunner Field on Tuesday.
The victory helped snap a four-game losing streak for the Roadrunners and puts them at 17-22 heading into their home series against Southern Miss this weekend.
UTSA was led by centerfielder Bailee Baldwin, who went 2-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Shortstop Ashlynn Walls went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, three RBIs and a stolen base, while leftfielder Celeste Loughman singled, doubled and scored twice.
Starting pitcher Madison Nelson recorded her second save, as she allowed six runs on nine hits, six runs, six errors and a strikeout in 5.2 innings. Relief pitcher Michelle Iparraguirre (2-0) earned the win holding the Huskies to just one run on three hits, an error, a walk and a strikeout in 1.1 innings.
UTSA and Houston Baptist played a quick first inning before HBU's bats started to heat up.
After going hitless in the first, the Huskies broke out with three hits, including a home run from Kassie James over the center field fence, putting HBU ahead, 1-0.
The visiting squad extended its lead in the top of the second as the Huskies used a two-run home run from Demi Janak to take a three-run lead.
The Roadrunners ended the shutout in the bottom of the fourth when Walls, who finished the game with three RBI, hit a two-run home run over the center field fence.
Houston Baptist battled back with a pair of solo home runs in the top of the fifth, but UTSA earned back those runs with three hits in the bottom of the frame. Baldwin dished out her 10th double of the season to score Loughman, who reached on a double of her own. Walls then singled to the right side to drive in Baldwin.
The Huskies were able to tack on a sixth run in the top of the sixth, but UTSA responded with four home runs in the bottom of the stanza to take the lead and ultimately the win.
Trailing, 6-4, the home side came out swinging as leadoff hitter Hannah Boring lined a home run to left field to start off the bottom of the sixth. The Roadrunners then received a base hit from Loughman and a home run to right center from Baldwin, for a 7-6 edge. Freshman Victoria Villarreal added to UTSA's momentum with her first home run of the season.
With UTSA leading 8-6 in the top of the seventh, HBU nearly tied the game as Janak dished out her second home run of the day, but the UTSA defense collected the last three outs to seal the victory.
The Roadrunners will play their sixth weekend of Conference USA action when they welcome Southern Miss for a three-game series, April 21-22.
