BEAUMONT – The UTSA softball team had 22 hits and 16 runs on Friday to garner two victories on the first day if the Cardinal Classic.
The Roadrunners are now 6-6 on the season.
Game 1 – vs Maine
Two hits in the bottom of the seventh secured another victory for the Roadrunners as they defeated Maine, 6-5 Friday afternoon.
Perry singled to center in the top of the second and Nee hit a triple down the left line to put the Black Bears on the board. The Roadrunners followed with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead. Kylea Nix singled up the middle, Brycen Blinco walked and Paige Pacher singled to center field loading the bases as Celeste Loughman stepped up to bat. Loughman singled and advanced to second on a throw as Nix and Blinco scored.
Maine tied the game in the top of the third. McGoudrick singled to shortstop and German bunted and advanced to second on the throw. McGoudrick scored on an error from right field. In the bottom of the inning, Riley Grunberg and Victoria Villarreal singled to the right side as runners advanced. The Roadrunners scored off a sacrifice fly from Elexus Trenkle. UTSA led 3-2 after the third.
The Roadrunners increased their lead 4-2 in the fourth after a single and stolen base from Loughman. Bailee Baldwin reached on an error, advancing Loughman to home.
The Black Bears tied the game back at four in the sixth. A ground out, a walk, a single and a double advanced runners as Maine scored two.
In the top of the seventh, Maine took the lead off a double and two ground outs. The Black Bears led 5-4 going to the bottom of the inning. Bailee Baldwin hit her third home run of the season to tie up the game at six. Grunberg doubled to center field and Kaitlin Lopez singled to the left side. Elexus Trenkle hit a single allowing the Roadrunners to score and take the victory, 6-5.
Game 2 – vs Rhode Island
The Roadrunners posted 10 runs on 10 hits to secure their second victory of the day with a 10-3 decision over Rhode Island.
Rhode Island was on the board first with a run in the bottom of the first. Villarreal doubled to left center and Castillo singled advancing Villarreal to third. A sacrifice fly from Robles allowed Villarreal to score.
A double from Kindell Brooks and a single from Celeste Loughman tied the game at one.
The Rams reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the second with two more runs with a single to shortstop, a walk, a single to center field and a sac fly.
In the top of the third, freshman Riley Grunberg hit a homer to right field, tying up the game, 2-2.
The Roadrunners had two more runs in the fourth off two walks, two fielder's choices, an error and a single.
UTSA increased the lead to seven (10-3) in the top of the seventh. Brooks singled to shortstop, then stole second. Blinco was walked and Paige Pacher singled to right field as Blinco advanced to second and Brooks to third. Three walks for the Roadrunners advanced runners as Brooks, Blinco and Pacher scored. After a pitching change for the Rams, Victoria Villarreal singled to right field as Baldwin and Loughman scored. Grunberg scored off a single from Trenkle rounding out the inning. The Roadrunners scored a season-high six runs in an inning.
The Roadrunners return to action tomorrow when they face Rhode Island at 10 a.m.
-UTSA-
