Photo Credit: Vincent Cardenas / The Paisano

With the season ending and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament near, the UTSA Roadrunners (24-22, 7-10 WAC) won their last road series of the season against WAC opponent the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (23-23, 8-9 WAC).
The ‘Runners pitching staff rebounded after allowing 14 runs in three games against Seattle by holding Louisiana Tech to just three runs in three games.
UTSA split a doubleheader with a 4-1 victory in the opener followed by a 1-0 shutout loss to the Lady Techsters.
During the Game 1 victory, UTSA starter Haylee Staton (13-8, 2.53 ERA) pitched seven strong innings and allowed one run on four hits. Staton added eight strikeouts to her dominant performance as she now leads the team with 109 total strikeouts.
Both teams struggled to score until UTSA exploded in the seventh inning for four runs on two hits and, more importantly, two key errors by the Lady Techsters to take a 4-0 lead.
After singles by Victoria Birdwell and Darian Blake and a walk by Courtney Buchman, Louisiana Tech allowed UTSA to score on a fielder’s choice, a sacrifice fly and two throwing errors. Megan Low was the only Roadrunner to be credited with an RBI.
Louisiana Tech was able to secure a win in Game 2 with a complete game shutout by Lady Techsters’ pitcher Michelle Jones, who scattered four hits with two walks and one strikeout. UTSA pitcher Alyssa Vordenabum (9-10, 2.80 ERA) battled to keep the Roadrunners in the game as she pitched all six innings and allowed only one run with five strikeouts.
The only run of the game came during the bottom of the fifth inning when Lady Techster Erin Kipp hit an RBI single to left field scoring teammate Anna Cross. Kipp and UTSA leadoff hitter Blake were the only two players to have multiple hits in the game.
With the series up for grabs heading into Saturday’s game, UTSA trusted the senior Staton to take the mound in hopes of leaving Louisiana with the road victory. Staton answered the bell with a complete game one run victory that included six strikeouts, giving her a total of 14 for the entire weekend series.
The Lady Techsters struck first in the top of the fourth inning when centerfielder Dacia Hale hit a solo home run to leftfield to give Louisiana Tech a 1-0 lead.
UTSA would then answer by scoring one run in each of the last four innings of play while Staton stifled Louisiana Tech bats. Offensively, for the ‘Runners, it was catcher Low and left fielder Sierra Sproul who did most of the damage as each collected two hits and drove in an RBI on the day.
On May 3, UTSA will host the UT Arlington Mavericks (21-24, 5-12 WAC) at Roadrunner Field in the season finale. Game 1 is Friday at 6 p.m. and then a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.