SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA softball team was bested by North Texas in a Friday doubleheader. The 'Runners first fell 10-8 before suffering a 6-1 setback in American Athletic Conference action at Roadrunner field.
The Roadrunners (8-21, 0-5 The American) couldn't overcome a potent Mean Green (15-11, 5-0) squad across a twin bill that saw sophomore Caton Letbetter go 2-for-4, while sophomore Madi Hays and junior Sophie Campbell each logged multiple RBIs.
Game One
UTSA narrowly dropped a 10-8 contest to open the day as senior Kenzi Schultz (0-8) was pegged with the loss, and Skylar Savage (3-4) earned the win.
The Mean Green wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, pushing across five runs in the top of the first, the majority of which came via a Makayla Smith home run. UTSA responded with three in their half, as junior Jaylen Prichard reached on a UNT miscue and senior Taylor Jensen walked to start a two-out rally. Sophomore Kylie Forney and Hays proceeded to drop back-to-back doubles, plating a trio and working a 5-3 score line.
Another home run for Smith put UNT up 8-3 after the third, and it was in the fifth that UTSA began mounting its comeback bid. Junior Camryn Robillard and Letbetter smacked singles ahead of a senior Erykah Guerrero double that scored one. Campbell then laced a base hit past a diving second-baseman, allowing Guerrero and Letbetter to dent the plate and pull the 'Runners within two. Shortly after, sophomore Madison Lenton orchestrated a bases-loaded walk, and Forney stole home, knotting the contest at 10.
The Mean Green answered in the top of the sixth, as a Kailey Gamble long ball resulted in a crooked number and a 10-8 UNT advantage that UTSA could not recover from.
Game Two
UNT again defeated UTSA, winning 6-1 despite freshman Iliana Saucedo's (3-3) complete game, which saw five strikeouts and just two earned runs. Mackenzie Childers (5-3) also went the distance en route to the victory.
The Mean Green got on the board first, smacking back-to-back singles before pushing one across on an RBI groundout. Things remained quiet for the subsequent three frames before a Kalei Christensen home run, a UTSA error, and a sacrifice fly saw a 3-0 UNT lead.
UTSA scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth as Hays walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and dented home on a Prichard line drive.
North Texas added three insurance runs on another Roadrunner miscue in the top of the seventh, ahead of a 6-1 final score.
The Roadrunners and Mean Green will meet once more on Sunday at 1 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day celebration. As part of the festivities, spectators can participate in a series of giveaways, including UTSA apparel and SeaWorld passes. Additionally, an exclusive batch of Roadrunner softball cards will be handed out at the series finale, and the UTSA players will be available for a postgame autograph session.
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