SAN ANTONIO – The Florida Atlantic Owls (33-18, 15-9 C-USA) got the best of UTSA (8-41, 3-20 C-USA) in Sunday's final Conference USA game at Roadrunner Field. After using a big second-inning to get ahead early, FAU closed out UTSA's 2023 season with a 10-1 loss. With the campaign in the books, the Roadrunners celebrated seniors Ciarra Mata and Marena Estell in a postgame ceremony.
Contrary to first-inning strikes by the Owls in the prior two games of the series, Estell took to the circle and provided a promising opening frame, putting FAU away with a blank frame. However, the second inning didn't go as smoothly, opening with a runner aboard via error and leading to a Sommer Baker grand slam.
The Roadrunners went right to work in the home half, as Estell threaded the right field line with a lasered double lined into the corner. After Camryn Robillard singled, first baseman Sophie Campbell put UTSA on the board with a sacrifice fly to center field. The inning ended with runners on first and third, but was UTSA's only real threat of the day.
It was all Owls from there on out, stringing together six runs through three scoring frames before ending UTSA's afternoon early with a 10-1 difference.
Taking over in relief in the third, Ainsley Lambert (4-4) allowed just two UTSA hits in 4.0 innings to take the win. Estell (3-12) received the loss in her final outing, facing 17 batters before yielding to Jamie Gilbert.
Offensively, Estell was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Robillard was also 2-for-3 for the second straight game.
After starting out her career strictly as a pitcher, Estell became a highly-recognized utility for the Roadrunners. She finishes her five-year career with 175 games and 130 starts, logging 87 hits, 15 doubles, 24 home runs, 73 RBI and 54 runs. In the circle, she pitched 280.2 innings with 136 strikeouts in 106 appearances.
Mata has been a staple in left field the past two seasons and finishes her four-year career with 88 starts in 108 games, registering 48 hits, nine (9) doubles, two (2) home runs, 24 RBI and 36 runs. Defensively, Mata ends her UTSA tenure with 175 putouts and five (5) assists.
Gallery: (5-7-2023) 2023 Softball Senior Day
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