The UTSA baseball team (12-7) began its Conference USA (C-USA) slate with a 1-2 weekend against Louisiana Tech (14-6) March 18-20. The Roadrunners entered the weekend series after a win over Houston Baptist (6-13) on March 15. 

UTSA traveled to HBU on Tuesday, March 15 to face the Huskies. A three-run ninth inning saw the Roadrunners conclude the game five runs ahead (10-5). UTSA was first on the board in the top of the first inning. With one out, Jonathan Tapia was walked by the Huskies and advanced to second on the throwing error. Ian Bailey advanced the first after a 1-4 pitch count. Both runners were advanced on a passed ball and Ryan Flores loaded the bases. A single from Shane Sirdashney scored Tapia for a 1-0 lead. HBU tied the game in the bottom of the first (1-1). After a scoreless second inning from both teams, the Roadrunners’ bats saw some action with a two-run third frame. Bailey singled up the middle to put UTSA on base. A two RBI homer from the bat of Flores scored Bailey as UTSA took a 3-1 lead. 

Both teams went scoreless for the fourth inning and a four-run bottom of the fifth for the Huskies gave HBU a two-run lead (5-3). Trailing by two heading into the top of the seventh, the Roadrunners tied the game with two runs. Flores and Sirdashney were walked by the Huskies and advanced on a wild pitch to put the Roadrunners in scoring position. A fly ball to center field from Garrett Poston scored Flores. Walks for Sammy Diaz and Leyton Barry loaded the bases. Another four balls from HBU sent Tapia to first, scoring Sirdashney to tie the board. 

A three up, three down seventh for HBU sent the Roadrunners back to the plate to regain the lead. Flores was walked, and a Sirdashney single followed by a wild pitch advanced both runners to put Flores on third. A single through the left side from Poston scored Flores and Sirdashney as UTSA led 7-5. In the top of the ninth, a dropped fly ball by third base allowed Tapia to reach first. Chase Keng singled to right field as Tapia advanced to second. A Bailey triple gained three runs for UTSA as the Huskies’ shortstop made a throwing error to allow all three runners to score (10-5). UTSA held HBU to five runs to close the game. Luke Malone (2-0, 0.78 ERA) started on the mound for UTSA. Malone pitched two innings with four strikeouts. 

The Roadrunners then returned to Roadrunner Field for their conference opener on March 18 against Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs scored a run in the top of the first to gain a 1-0 lead. Tapia singled to put UTSA on base in the bottom of the first frame. A Bailey single with Tapia and Barry on base, followed by an error by the center fielder scored Tapia. A single from Sirdahsney scored Barry and Bailey as the Roadrunners took a 3-1 lead. With Sirdashney and Keng on base, a fielder’s choice allowed Isaiah Walker to reach, scoring Sirdashney (4-1).  

The Roadrunners added a fifth run to their lead in the bottom of the third. Flores doubled down the right field line, and Matt King singled to put Flores on third. Walker grounded out in a double play, but not before Flores reached home for a 5-1 UTSA lead. LA Tech chipped away at the Roadrunners’ lead in the fifth with three runs to trail 5-4. The Bulldogs added a fifth run in the top of the sixth to tie the game 5-5. With a tied game heading into the eighth, the Bulldogs took the lead to win the game with a run off a wild pitch (6-5). Malone started on the mound for the second consecutive game, pitching 4.2 innings, throwing three strikeouts. 

The second game of the series saw UTSA one run short for the second matchup on March 19. A scoreless first inning was resolved as LA Tech took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Flores singled to reach first followed by Sirdashney being hit by a pitch and Poston walking to load the bases. Diaz was hit by the Bulldogs’ pitcher to score Flores (1-1). A two RBI home run from Bailey in the bottom of the third scored Keng to give UTSA a 3-1 lead. The Roadrunners added a fourth run to their lead in the fifth. Bailey doubled to left center and advanced to third on a passed ball. Flores stepped to the plate and lined out to left field on a sacrifice fly to score Bailey. The Bulldogs added a second run to the board in the sixth (4-2). In the top of the eighth, LA Tech scored on a wild pitch to put them within one (4-3). A two-run top of the ninth gave LA Tech the one-run lead to win the game 5-4. Ulises Quiroga (1-2, 6.48 ERA) was the starting pitcher for the Roadrunners, throwing two innings with one strikeout. 

Two four-run innings for the Roadrunners saved UTSA from a series sweep on March 20. LA Tech scored a run early in the first inning. In the bottom of the second, a triple from King scored Austin Ochoa, Diaz and Barry for a three RBI hit. A sacrifice fly from Poston scored King as UTSA took a 4-1 lead. A homer off the bat from Bailey gave UTSA a four-run lead in the bottom of the third (5-1). The Roadrunners tallied four more runs in the fourth. A double from Bailey scored King, followed by a double from Barry to bat in Bailey and Flores (8-1). A final single from Diaz sent Barry to home plate as UTSA led by eight (9-1). Braden Davis (1-1, 4. 05 ERA) pitched the first four innings, throwing three strikeouts for the Roadrunners. 

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of the fifth in an attempt to cut the Roadrunners’ lead. Neither team scored until the bottom of the seventh when a double to left field from King scored Keng to put UTSA up 10-3. A three-run eighth inning closed the game early. A double from Barry batted in Flores. With bases loaded, a sacrifice fly from Keng scored Bailey (12-3). A final run was scored from Barry, who advanced on a wild pitch, to close the game 10 runs ahead, 13-3. 

The Roadrunners return to the field Tuesday, March 22 in Waco to face Baylor before traveling to Boca Raton, Fla. for a C-USA matchup series against Florida Atlantic (12-7).