SAN ANTONIO — Senior Jamie Gilbert recorded a complete-game shutout as the UTSA softball team defeated Memphis 5-0 in an American Athletic Conference series opener on Thursday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (10-25, 2-8 The American) bested the Tigers (3-26, 0-10 The American) with Gilbert (5-8) earning her team-leading fifth win of the season and Taniyah Brown (2-12) getting tagged with the loss. Senior Taylor Jensen delivered a crucial bases-clearing double to propel the 'Runners to victory, while freshman Taryn Madlock and sophomore Kylie Forney also logged hits for the squad.
Things remained quiet until the fourth, when Memphis singled to lead off the frame, ahead of multiple walks that loaded up the bases with two outs. Sophomore Madi Hays then made a sensational snag in centerfield, stranding the bases and keeping the contest scoreless.
A dropped third strike allowed freshman Kalee Rochinski to reach base safely in the bottom of the fifth before a catcher's interference put Forney on. Following a double steal, sophomore Caton Letbetter was walked, juicing the bases and prompting Jensen's two-bagger, which issued a 3-0 UTSA advantage.
UTSA added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth, as Rochinski was plunked and scored on an errant throw. Forney then drove in the game's fifth and final run, dropping a single into left-center that plated Madlock.
Gilbert ran into trouble in the top of the seventh, with the Tigers putting on a trio of base runners with two outs. However, she prevailed, inducing a weak ground ball that was cleanly fielded to secure the 5-0 victory.
The two squads will meet at Roadrunner Field again on Friday, with a 6 p.m. first pitch on Girl Scout Night, before a Saturday finale at noon.
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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