BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The UTSA softball team fell short in game two as WKU swept the doubleheader on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers won the the first game, 8-1 and the second, 4-3.
UTSA falls to 20-29 overall and 8-15 C-USA, while WKU improve to 36-12 on the season and 17-6 in conference.
Game 1
The Roadrunners started the game with a solo homer to right field from Bailee Baldwin, her 10th of the season.
Jordan Thomas opened the bottom of the frame with a double to right field, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Shannon Plese hit a bunt single as Thomas scored, tying the game. Plese then stole second and Kennedy Sullivan doubled to center as Plese scored. Jordan Vorbrink doubled to right center, scoring Sullivan. A line out ended the inning as WKU led 3-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Bowlds hit a bunt single, then stole second. A sac bunt from Paige Carter advanced Bowlds to third. With two outs, Plese homered to left field, scoring Bowlds and increasing the lead to four (5-1).
WKU opened the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer to left field from Sullivan. Vorbrink singled up the middle and Morgan McElroy hit a sac bunt to advance Vorbrink to scoring position. Bowlds had a single as Ridge (pitch runner) scored. Thomas singled then reached second on the throw and continued to third on an error as Blackford (pinch runner) scored.
A 1-2-3 inning in the seventh ended the game.
The Roadrunners posted two hits, while the Hilltoppers had 11.
Game 2
Celeste Loughman opened game two with a single to the shortstop, then reached second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Victoria Villarreal singled to center field as Loughman scored. The Hilltoppers tied the game in the bottom of the frame off two singles and an error.
In the bottom of the third, Plese singled, then stole second. Smith singled to shortstop as Plese scored. The Hilltoppers led 2-1 after the third.
Davis hit a bunt single, then was caught stealing in the bottom of the fourth. McElroy grounded out and Engelhardt single to left, then stole second. Bowlds singled to center, then reached third on the throw as Engelhardt scored. A single from Thomas scored Bowls as WKU led 4-1.
With two outs on the board, Celeste Loughman hit a solo homer to right field, her first of the season. UTSA trailed 2-4 after the fifth.
Madison Washington hit a solo homer to left center in the top of the sixth, closing the gap to one (3-4).
In the bottom of the seventh, Loughman was walked with two outs. Baldwin followed with a walk, but a strikeout ended the inning.
UTSA had five hits, while WKU recorded 10.
The Roadrunners and the Hilltoppers return to action tomorrow for the series finale. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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