LAKE CHARLES, La. – Four home runs helped the Roadrunners defeat the Panther 9-5 Sunday afternoon in the Cowgirl Classic.
UTSA improves to 3-2 on the season, while Prairie View A&M falls to 1-4.
The Panthers were on the board early with two runs in the top of the first from back-to-back doubles and an error. In the bottom of the frame, Madison Washington hit a solo home run to left field. Kindell Brooks followed with a double to left field as well. With two outs and a runner on third, freshman Taylor Medina hit a home run to left-center, scoring Brooks and taking the lead, 3-2.
In the top of the second, the Panthers tied the game at three from two singles.
Senior Celeste Loughman recorded her first home run of the season with a solo homer to right field and help the Roadrunners take the lead once again (4-3).
With two outs on the board in the bottom of the fifth, Lauren Coerver hit her first career home run as UTSA led 5-3.
With two outs, the Panthers hit three singles in a row and scored a run to close the gap to one, 5-4, in the top of the sixth. Then they tied the game at five as a runner reached home on an error. In the bottom of the frame, UTSA added four more runs to take back the lead. To open the inning, Riley Grunberg was walked and Taylor Medina singled as Grunberg advanced to second. Victoria Villarreal singled and runners advanced to load the bases. Coerver hit the ball over the third baseman's head to reach first as Grunberg and Medina scored. Paige Pacher also singled as runners advanced and with one out, Loughman hit a sac fly as Coerver scored. Closing out the frame, Washington singled as Kylea Nix scored. The Roadrunners led 9-5 going to the seventh.
Freshman Erika Cortez came in to replace Makenzie Carpenter in the circle and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game.
Makenzie Carpenter picked up her first win as a Roadrunner, pitching 5.0 innings.
The Roadrunners return to action on Feb. 12 when they host Houston Baptist for the home opener. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.
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