SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA softball team defeated FIU 6-2 to clinch the series Saturday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners were on the board in the second. Marena Estell reached first after being hit by the pitch. Erykah Guerrero reached on a fielder's choice and Estell made it to second on an error. Emily Dear singled up the right side to load the bases. With two outs, Ciarra Mata singled to right field as runners advanced and Estell scored to lead 1-0.
The Panthers hit a solo homer in the third to make it 1-1.
In the fourth, Erykah Guerrero hit a solo home run to right field to regain the lead (2-1). Emily Dear followed with a single to right center. With two outs, Ciarra Mata smacked the ball over the center field wall to extend the lead to three, 4-1.
FIU hit another solo home run in the fifth to close the gap to two, 4-2. In the bottom of the frame, UTSA tacked on two more runs. Camryn Robillard earned a walk. With one out, Estell was hit by a pitch and Guerrero followed with a single up the middle to load the bases once again. Dear doubled to left center to score Estell and Guerrero and push the lead to four, 6-2.
In the top of the sixth, the Panthers recorded a solo homer to close the gap back to three (6-3).
Jamie Gilbert earned the start and pitched 6.1 innings with four strikeouts. Tatum Seith came in for the final 0.2 inning and recorded a strikeout to win the game.
UTSA had nine hits on the day.
The Roadrunners and the Panthers return to the field tomorrow at noon to close out the series.
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