SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA softball team (6-28, 2-7 C-USA) is hosting a weekend series at Roadrunner Field for the first time since the second week of March, as the Roadrunners welcome Western Kentucky (21-13, 6-3 C-USA) for a Conference USA series on their first trip to the Alamo City. The initial weekend forecast provides some expected challenges due to inclement weather, but UTSA Softball's social media will provide all updates as they become available. The Roadrunners and Hilltoppers are set to square off on Thursday through Saturday, April 6-8.
UTSA Quick Hits
- Last week, UTSA dropped road contests at No. 21 Baylor and FIU, going 0-4 on the week. The Roadrunners are looking to snap an 11-game losing streak, dating back to March 11 at home vs. UTEP.
- On Tuesday, the Roadrunners scored the most hits and runs since March 11 (vs. UTEP), putting up nine (9) runs on eight (8) hits at home against Houston Christian. However, the Huskies also put up 21 hits in the 18-9 HCU victory.
- Against HCU, junior shortstop Kat Ibarra went a season-best 4-for-4 with a triple, scoring twice with an RBI.
- Ibarra's triple count at four (4) on the year places her in a tie for the fourth-most in a single season in UTSA history. She ties for 19th in the NCAA in triples this season.
- The three-bagger vs. HCU brings Ibarra's career count to nine (9), elevating her into sole ownership of the third-most career triples, directly behind Kendall Burton (10, 2015-16) and Celeste Loughman (12, 2017-21).
- Triples aside, Kat Ibarra leads the UTSA offense in BA (.381), hits (43), runs (25), slugging percentage (.575), on-base percentage (.462), doubles (11), walks (17) and stolen bases (6) – On defense, Ibarra has a team-high 50 assists (with 61 putouts), nine (9) double plays and has delivered the tag on six caught-stealing plays.
- Going back to the first game of the FIU series, Ibarra has scored in four consecutive games.
- Her 43 hits comes in at 50th in the NCAA and fourth in Conference USA.
- Ibarra ranks 25th nationally and second in C-USA with 11 doubles, averaging an NCAA 44th 0.32 per game.
- In last Friday's series opener against FIU, UTSA's defense tied a single-season school record with three (3) double plays in one game.
- UTSA enters the series ranked 52nd in the NCAA at .38 double plays per game.
- Rising into a more consistent starter at the designated player position, sophomore Emily Dear is hitting .341 with 10 starts in 26 games, hitting three (3) doubles for five (5) runs and three (3) RBI.
- Super senior Marena Estell bats .317 with 26 hits, five (5) doubles, three (3) home runs, leading UTSA with 20 RBI as well as 12 runs.
- Junior transfer catcher Taylor Jensen was the backstop for two NJCAA National Championships at Florida SouthWestern State College, batting .410 with 26 doubles, 20 home runs, 99 runs and 118 RBI across three seasons (including 2020 COVID year) and 116 games at FSW.
- In Jensen's first season at UTSA, she's batting .304 through 30 starts in 32 games, splitting time between catcher and first base. Jensen has 14 RBI and 10 runs off 28 hits, including three (3) doubles, one (1) triple and three (3) home runs.
- Jensen also has part in three (3) double plays and has picked six (6) stealing baserunners.
- Junior catcher Erykah Guerrero and freshman outfielder Lilly Hood tie with a team-best four (4) home runs. Three other players tie with three (3) apiece.
- Earning starts in each of the past two games, sophomore Lindsey Davis both earned her first career hit on a grounded single at FIU (4/2/23) and also went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored against Houston Christian.
- The UTSA offense averages .253 hitting, 6.59 hits, 4.03 walks and 3.94 runs per game.
- Putting up 46 on the year so far, UTSA ranks 62nd the NCAA in doubles, 69th nationally with 1.35 two-baggers per outing.
- Having led the national for several weeks in the stat, UTSA ranks 11th in the NCAA with a C-USA leading 137 walks drawn on offense.
Series vs. Western Kentucky
One of the shortest series for UTSA among the Conference USA field, the Roadrunners and Hilltoppers are meeting for only the fifth time to open the series. UTSA was swept in Bowling Green, Ky. during the first meetings in 2019. The series was canceled by COVID-19 in 2020, and UTSA fell to WKU by a 2-3 decision in the 2021 C-USA tournament. This is the first time for WKU playing in San Antonio against the Roadrunners.
Western Kentucky Quick Hits
- Western Kentucky comes to San Antonio for the first time with a 21-13 record, and 6-3 Conference USA mark that places the Hilltoppers second in the league standings behind Charlotte, and just ahead of UAB.
- This series opens a seven-game roadswing, hitting Texas for the second time this year before heading to Tennessee next week.
- WKU went 38-13 a year ago, going five games deep in the C-USA tournament before losing to eventual champion North Texas in the championship game.
- The Hilltoppers have dropped four of their last five since sweeping North Texas at home, 7-1/6-3/9-2, March 25-26.
- WKU averages .303 hitting as a team, averaging 7.97 hits, 3.91 walks and 5.03 runs per game. The pitching staff has a 4.17 ERA and averages 6.3 opponent hits, 3.2 opponent walks, 5.4 opponent strikeouts and 3.6 runs per outing.
- Super senior utility Faith Hegh holds a .394 average and leads WKU with 41 hits – a large percentage comprised of a C-USA leading (NCAA third-most) 14 doubles. Hegh has recorded 23 RBI and 21 runs, recording a team-best .476 on-base percentage.
- Super senior outfielder Taylor Davis bats .352 with a team-high 32 runs on her 38 hits.
- Senior infielder Taylor Sanders is hitting .344 with 33 hits, including six (6) doubles and nine (9) home runs for a C-USA leading 39 RBI – which ranks 14th in the NCAA.
- Head coach Amy Tudor reached her 500th career win against Evansville at the beginning of March. She is in her 10th season at WKU (293-184-1 [.614]) and 19th overall.
Ticket Information for the Weekend
Single-Game Ticket Prices (all seats general admission)
- Adults: $7
- Juniors (ages 3-18): $5
- Seniors (ages 60+): $5
- Military (with ID): $5
- UTSA Students: Students receive free admission to all home games by showing a UTSA ID at the entrance to Roadrunner Field
Buy your game tickets HERE.
Weather Forecast for the Weekend
Inclement weather from rain and thunderstorms is projected throughout the weekend. Friday's matchup was initially scheduled for 6:00 p.m., but has been proactively moved up to 1:00 p.m. to facilitate more game opportunities in the even of rains on Thursday. To keep up with game schedule changes, check for updates on Twitter @UTSASoftball
UTSA Series Coverage vs. Western Kentucky
Thursday, April 6 – 6:00 p.m.
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
Friday, April 7 – 1:00 p.m.
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
Saturday, April 8 - 12:00 p.m.
Stream: CUSA.tv
Live Stats: UTSA
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