BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The UTSA softball program couldn't overcome a potent UAB squad on Sunday as the Blazers claimed a 9-1 run-rule victory in an American Athletic Conference series finale at Mary Bowers Field.
The Roadrunners (7-18, 0-3 The American) fell to the Blazers (12-11, 3-0 The American), with senior Jamie Gilbert (2-7) picking up the loss and Caitlin Russell (4-2) earning the win. At the dish, junior Jaylen Prichard, senior Erykah Guerrero, and sophomore Madison Lenton all logged hits for the 'Runners.
UTSA struck first, as sophomore Kylie Forney was walked and later scored on a Blazer miscue in the top of the first. From there, Gilbert worked a trio of scoreless innings before UAB pushed across a run in the bottom of the fourth.
The floodgates opened in the fifth, as UAB drove in six runs before adding two more in the sixth to secure a 9-1 run-rule victory.
UTSA will now turn its attention to a pair of nonconference contests. First, they'll play Georgia State at noon in Atlanta, Georgia, ahead of a noon contest on Tuesday against Kennesaw State in Marietta, Georgia.
The 'Runners and Panthers (7-13, 0-0 SBC) will battle at Bob Heck Softball Complex as both squads search for their eighth win of the season. GSU is coming off a weekend of rest, previously besting Alabama State 8-1 last Wednesday.
Sydney Boulware has played a significant role for the Panthers thus far, twirling 88.0 innings for the eighth-most in the NCAA. She has logged 64 strikeouts and owns a 3-6 record with five complete games on her ledger. Additionally, she boasts a team-high 4.01 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP.
Chloe Nadler paces the team with a .346 AVG and has launched two home runs and nine RBIs for GSU. The Panthers have seen Carolyn Deady record a squad-high 12 RBIs, three long balls, and a .972 OPS.
The Owls (6-16, 0-0 ASUN) and the Roadrunners previously met in the Texas State Tournament when KSU claimed a 3-1 extra-inning victory over UTSA. Gilbert provided a bright spot in the loss, tossing 3.1 innings, fanning three, and allowing just two hits.
KSU enters the contest, leading the ASUN with a 2.44 strikeout-to-walk ratio, largely due to Kenley Hilleary's 3.38 K/BB ratio. She and Lindsey Kyle have each fanned 31 on the year, helping the staff maintain a 3.85 ERA.
Caroline Shumeyko leads the Owls with 10 RBIs and is tied with Kassidy Amerson-Fox for the most home runs with two. Additionally, seven KSU sluggers boast averages over the Mendoza line.
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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