SAN ANTONIO — Fighting off a power-hitting Lamar (2-9), UTSA Roadrunners softball (2-8) battled to the final out on Sunday, but ultimately fell in an 11-7 loss to the Cardinals to close out the the I-35 Tournament presented by Courtyard Marriott at The Rim.
Despite the loss, the Roadrunners belted out the second-most hits of the season, and put up double-digit base hits against the Cardinals for the second time this week. However, Lamar produced timely extra base hitting with runners aboard to stay just a step ahead of the Roadrunners.
UTSA made the first strike, as sophomore third baseman Camryn Robillard fired a grounder past Lamar's diving second baseman to tack two runs on the board in the first. Junior Kat Ibarra and freshman Lilly Hood each crossed the dish after notching singles to extend their respective big-hitting performances in the tournament.
The next scores proved to be a Lamar power grab, as Sam Bean and Kaylee Ancelot each smacked a third-inning home run out of center field, accounting for two runs apiece and building a 4-2 Cardinals lead.
Graduate student utility player Marena Estell countered emphatically in the bottom half, leading off with a solo home run over the left field scoreboard. Freshman center fielder Madison Lenton followed-up by bringing the score even at 4-all via a fielder's choice that scored Robillard from third.
The scoring pendulum swung back to the Cardinals in the top of the fourth, as Hayley Freudenberg's left field double and Audry Fleming's right field single combined for four Lamar runs.
Making a dent with her next plate appearance, Estell fired an RBI double to the left center fence, trimming the LU lead to three runs heading into the final three innings.
The long ball bit the Roadrunners' comeback hopes in the top of the sixth. A pair of walked batters set the table for a three-run Freudenberg blast and an 11-5 lead.
Once again, UTSA countered with a pair of runs on Lenton's double into outer right field. However, the Roadrunners left a pair of runners aboard in the sixth and couldn't break through to complete the rally in the final frame - closing out the 11-7 loss.
All nine UTSA starters collected a base knock for the first time this season. Four batters went for multiple hits, paced by Ibarra's 3-for-5 outing with one run. Estell went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run, while both Hood and catcher Taylor Jensen were 2-for-5. Lenton led the Roadrunners with three RBI.
Cameron Niedenthal (1-0) earned the win for Lamar, going the 7.0-inning complete game with 14 hits allowed and all seven runs earned. She struck out six. Taking the loss, Estell (1-1) threw 2.0 innings of relief with three runs on one hit allowed.
After the long tournament weekend, it's a short turnaround for the Roadrunners, returning to Roadrunner Field for the last time this month for a midweek meeting with cross-town foe Incarnate Word. UIW and UTSA will square off on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6:00 p.m.
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