MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The UTSA softball team (4-14) delivered a much-needed victory over North Dakota State (6-9) to open play at the Blues City Classic on Friday evening at the Tigers Softball Complex. The Roadrunners battled back quickly when the Bison briefly gained the upper hand. Trailing by one run, Madison Lenton bashed her first career home run for two scores and the game-winner against NDSU. In the late game, UTSA dropped behind Memphis just as inclement weather forced suspension of play.
Game one: North Dakota State
A tough defensive matchup from both squads kicked off UTSA's latest tournament appearance. The Roadrunners scored first for the ninth time on the season and played steady to overcome a brief momentum shift toward North Dakota State, snapping a six-game losing skid and opening up in Memphis on a very high note against one of the best squads in the field.
After a very quick opening frame, the Roadrunners put one on the board in the second, making the most of freshman center fielder Lenton's one-out walk. Junior catcher Erykah Guerrero ripped a double to right that pushed Lenton to third and sophomore third baseman Camryn Robillard notched her first sacrifice fly of the year to put UTSA on top, 1-0.
Starter Reagan Smith evaded harm from the Bison for the first four innings, with NDSU producing a runner in each frame. However, the Bison finally got her in the bottom of the fifth. Emilee Buringa took the lead for NDSU with a two-run long ball to right center.
The Bison lead was short-lived, as junior first baseman Taylor Jensen set the table with two outs in the top of the sixth, and Lenton's inaugural career homer cleared the setting, going yard down the left field line to edge UTSA back in front, 3-2.
Registering two strikeouts, Smith cleared the Memphis side in the home half, and Marena Estell entered in relief to earn her first save of the year with outs on three balls put in play. Smith (1-5) picked up her first win on 6.0 innings, striking out three with four hits and two runs allowed.
Lenton walked twice before smacking the game-winning hit and the Roadrunners logged five hits in Friday's opening game.
Game two: Memphis
The Roadrunners fell behind after Memphis broke the third-inning deadlock, but Mother Nature had other ideas, sending the teams away for the night with no result.
Both teams applied early pressure, but Memphis was able to plate a run first. However, the Roadrunners were not without opportunities, placing runners in each of the first three innings. In the second frame, Lenton fired another big hit down the line in the second with a leadoff double, and reached third before Memphis starter Halli Siems delivered an inning-ending strikeout to eliminate the threat. In the top of the third, UTSA loaded up the bases with two outs, but Tigers third baseman Presley Morris robbed the Roadrunners of near-certain runs, backhanding Emily Dear's line drive just inside the base before making the force at third.
Just as evening rains picked up, Memphis too amped up its pressure with Madi Berner putting the Tigers on the board, squeaking a three-run home run over the left field walk. Kendall Lee ended Estell's night, and scored as Meagan Chism collected an RBI groundout to grow the lead.
However, the scoring push stopped cold as the skies opened and sent the game into a rain delay, suspending play for the night to produce a likely no contest.
The Blues City Classic is expected to continue as scheduled on Saturday, with the Roadrunners back in action at 11:30 a.m. against SIU Edwardsville and then returning for the nightcap against Drake at 7:00 p.m. at the Tigers Softball Complex.
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