SAN ANTONIO — Marena Estell launched a first-inning grand slam and Jamie Gilbert tossed a complete game in the circle to help UTSA down Southern Miss 6-3 in the rubber game of a Conference USA series on Sunday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
Estell launched one of three home runs on the day for the Roadrunners, who improved to 16-25 overall and 9-8 in the league. Kat Ibarra and Ciarra Mata also homered for UTSA, which posted 10 hits today and 26 for the series, including nine long balls.
Meanwhile, Gilbert scattered nine hits and surrendered just one earned run in running her record to 5-6 on the year.
Estell provided UTSA with a 4-0 lead with a grand slam in the bottom of the first, which would prove to be the difference. Ibarra, who went 4 for 4, and Camryn Robillard got things started with back-to-back base hits to left field and Riley Grunberg drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Estell then belted a full-count pitch deep over the fence in center field for her 14th home run of the season.
The Golden Eagles got on the board in the top of the second on an RBI groundout to the pitcher by Lexie Smith that plated Scout Jennings, who reached on an error on the infield.
USM tacked on another unearned run in the third on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded following a throwing error earlier in the frame.
Mata increased UTSA's advantage to 5-2 with a solo home run to left in the bottom of the fourth inning for her first round-tripper of the season.
Natalie Hurdle drilled a solo shot to center in the sixth to pull the visitors to within two runs.
However, Ibarra got the run back for the Roadrunners in the bottom of the frame with a solo blast deep to left center provide the final three-run margin.
UTSA chased USM starter Morgan Leinstock with four runs on three hits before an out was recorded, dropping her record to 17-8.
Hurdle paced the Golden Eagles lineup by going 3 for 3 with a pair of runs scored.
The Roadrunners will return to action this Wednesday, April 27, when they host Houston Baptist (12-26). First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.
-UTSA-
