UTSA downs La. Tech 10-2

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – UTSA exploded for a nine-run fourth inning and completed the three-game Conference USA sweep as the Roadrunners defeated Louisiana Tech 10-2 in five innings Sunday afternoon.

Tech (31-18, 12-9) trailed just 1-0 heading into the frame before the Roadrunners scored nine runs — four earned — on five hits, including Randee Crawford’s grand slam. It was Crawford’s third home run of the weekend and UTSA’s ninth in the three-game series.

UTSA (35-17, 16-7 C-USA) entered the weekend as the league’s top home run hitting team with 75 and the Roadrunners didn’t disappoint led by Crawford and Taylor Oberg, who each hit three.

The Lady Techsters entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in the league in home runs, but Pauline Tufi’s three-run shot in Saturday’s second game was the lone long ball of the series for Tech. However, Tech did have a pair of three-run home runs taken away by UTSA centerfielder Kendall Burton, who robbed both Tufi on Saturday and Bianca Duran in Sunday’s finale.

Tech plated its only two runs of Sunday’s third game in the top of the fifth inning on two-out, two-run double by Tufi down the left field line. Tech had an opportunity to keep the game alive but Duran’s bid for a three-run home run was taken away by Burton in straight away centerfield for the final out of the game.

Bailey Allen (7-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits with four strikeouts in 3.0 innings of action. Carolina Sanchez came on in relief and surrendered seven runs — only two earned — on four hits and two walks in 1.0 innings.

Tech will travel to Miami this week to compete in the Conference USA Tournament starting Thursday. The Lady Techsters will be the No. 6 seed and will face the No. 3 seed UTSA in the opening game of the single elimination tournament.