SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday, the UTSA softball team is set to open the Houston Classic tournament, which will see the team battle a quartet of opponents across three days in the Space City.
The Roadrunners (0-5, 0-0 The American) are still looking for their first win of the new campaign after suffering a pentet of tough losses at the Texas State Tournament. Junior Sophie Campbell and senior Kenzie Schultz delivered a pair of standout performances, as Campbell hit .357 with four RBIs and a double across contests with Texas State, Northwestern State, Southern Illinois, Kennesaw State, and Creighton,
Meanwhile, Schultz worked a 1.91 ERA and four strikeouts across 14.2 innings and two starts at the Bobcat Softball Stadium.
UTSA will first take on the Cougars (4-1, 0-0 Big 12) at 4:30 p.m. on Day One, with the host school coming off a successful opening weekend that saw victories over Colgate, Indiana State, and Rutgers, with a lone loss coming at the hands of the Scarlet Knights. The ‘Runners contest against Houston will be broadcast live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, with Matt Pedersen providing play-by-play alongside Shae Sloan.
Kennedy Thomas has had a dominant start to the 2024 campaign, working a .750 AVG after going 9-for-12 with a home run and six RBIS. Turiya Coleman drove in eight runs for the Cougs, launching three longballs in the process. Additionally, Thomas sits fourth on the NCAA batting average leader board, while Coleman ranks fifth in home runs.
On Friday at 9 a.m., UTSA will face Northwestern State. The Roadrunners and Demons (3-4. 0-0 SLC) previously assembled at the Texas State Tournament, where NSU won 8-2.
Day Two will conclude with an 11:30 a.m. contest against Nicholls, as the Colonels (4-2, 0-0 SLC) enter the weekend after picking up wins against Green Bay, Providence, UT Arlington, and Montana. Aubrey McNeil was named SLC Pitcher of the Week for her troubles following 16 innings that featured 13 strikeouts and a 0.88 ERA.
UTSA will meet NSU for a third time on Saturday, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. The ‘Runners will then wrap up the Houston Classic at 4 p.m. with a contest against Massachusetts on the docket. The Minutewomen (2-3, 0-0 A-10) have bested Georgia Southern and Radford early in the year, as Julianne Bolton picked up both victories, twirling 12 strikeouts and working a 0.93 ERA.
Keep up with UTSA Softball all season long on goutsa.com, and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSASB, X (Twitter) @UTSASoftball, and on Instagram @utsasoftball.
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