UTSA Edges Central Arkansas in Southland Softball Tournament

UTSA Edges Central Arkansas in Southland Softball Tournament

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The No. 4 seed UTSA opened the 2012 Southland Conference Softball Tournament with a 4-3 win against No. 5 seed Central Arkansas at Roadrunner Field in San Antonio, Texas.

UTSA struck early in the first inning after loading the bases with three consecutive one-out singles from Molly Fichtner, Megan Low and Caitlyn Ivy. Senior Nikki Goff notched the tournament’s first RBI by drawing a 10-pitch walk. The Roadrunners were unable to plate any more runs in the inning as Central Arkansas’ Kelsie Armstrong forced a pop out and fly out to escape the jam.

The Roadrunners extended its lead in the third inning when Ivy blasted a two-run home run to right field. It was Ivy’s fourth homer of the season and 26th RBI.

UCA responded in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run home run of its own. Freshman Tiffany Roby lined her team-leading seventh home run to straight center field.

The home runs continued in the bottom half of the inning when senior designated hitter Alaina Byars knocked her third home run of the season to left field. Byars’ solo shot was her 16th RBI of the year. The Roadrunners’ fourth run of the game forced a pitching change for UCA as Kelly Martino replaced Armstrong.

The teams continued to exchange runs with the Bears plating one run in the top of the fifth. Senior Kasey Britt opened the inning with a walk and then advanced to second with a single from Nicole Beals. The Bears used sophomore pinch-runner Kelvon Greer for Britt, and after two fly outs to right field, Greer plated the final run for UCA to make the score 4-3.

Junior Haylee Staton earned the win in the circle for UTSA with a complete game effort. Staton, who improved to 15-7 on the year, allowed three runs on six hits while striking out five hitters. Armstrong picked up the loss to fall to 22-14 on the year. The Bears’ right-hander tossed three innings and gave up four runs on six hits.

UTSA advances to face the No. 1 seed and regular season champion Texas State at approximately 4 p.m. Central Arkansas will play in an elimination game tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m.