SAN ANTONIO — In a cross-town midweek duel that saw five combined home runs and a pair of runs scored via errors, first-year junior Taylor Jensen squared a ball beyond the left center fence with two outs to secure the 6-5 walk-off UTSA softball (3-8) victory over visiting UIW (5-6) to cap off Tuesday's Pink-Out at Roadrunner field.
The starting pitchers rose to the challenge early, as a defensive struggle ensued in the first half of Tuesday night's non-conference tilt. UTSA junior Jamie Gilbert allowed no Cardinal runners through the first three frames, while UIW's Aaliyah Garcia battled back from early walks in the same span to keep both sides of the sheet clear.
However, a two-out UTSA error at first base started a chain of events in the top of the fourth, as Ryleigh Mata worked around to second on the play, then crossed home on an additional UTSA miscue in the frame. Catcher Kendall McGary finished off the push for the Cardinals with a three-run homer to left field.
The Roadrunners were quick to respond with a home run of their own, as junior catcher Erykah Guerrero cashed in Jensen's leadoff single with a two-run blast to left field, trimming the deficit to a single run.
Following up Ciarra Mata's leadoff walk in the fifth, designated player Marena Estell belted the first pitch she saw for another UTSA two-run long ball beyond the left field fence, sweeping the Roadrunners in front, 4-3. A subsequent throwing error by UIW relief pitcher Madison Floyd in the sixth allowed Sophie Cambell to reach via bunt and Camryn Robillard the opportunity to score an insurance run.
The Roadrunners would need that extra breathing room, as UIW's Baylee Lemons tacked on the Cardinals' second two-run homer to knot the score at 5-all in the top of the seventh.
Staring down the prospect of the first extra innings of the year, Jensen stepped in with two outs away and a 1-2 count, raking her second home run of the year deep to left center before stomping on the plate with the walk-off 6-5 victory in hand.
Jensen led all UTSA hitters, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. As for the other long-ball hitters, Guerrero was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run, while Estell was 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Through 11 games, UTSA has nine home runs this year as a team.
It's a 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐎𝐅𝐅 everybody!
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) February 22, 2023
Taylor Jensen goes yard for the 6-5 UTSA win!#BirdsUp 🤙 | #LetsGo210 pic.twitter.com/vs7B91FozL
Picking up the pitching victory in relief, Estell (2-1) threw 2.0 innings with two hits and two earned runs allowed, striking out two with no walks. Taking the loss for UIW, Floyd (1-2) tossed 1.2 innings, allowing the winning run, while striking out four.
Next, it's another tournament weekend for the Roadrunners, heading to San Marcos for the TXST Classic. Beginning on Thursday at hosting Texas State (2:00 p.m.), UTSA will face UT Arlington, Kansas and Colorado State over a four-day stretch.
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