UTSA baseball returned home from a four-game road trip and defeated the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 4-2 last Tuesday evening at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (22-15, 9-3 American Athletic Conference) came into the game in sole possession of first place in the AAC. Despite this, it meant a lot to head coach Pat Hallmark to get revenge against the Islanders (17-24, 5-7 Southland Conference), who bested UTSA in a three-game series earlier this season.
“It’s nice to even out the series,” Hallmark said. “Everybody has pride. We’re competitive people and we’re always looking to win.”
After a scoreless first two innings, UTSA scored three in the bottom of the third. An error from Islanders shortstop Mason Persons allowed junior utility Ty Tilson to reach home. In the next play, senior infielder Alexander Olivo sliced an RBI single into right field, allowing lead-off hitter Mason Lytle to score. Senior outfielder Caleb Hill proceeded to steal home plate, closing out the inning and giving UTSA a firm 3-0 lead.
Both teams went scoreless over the next three innings before the ‘Runners added to their lead in the sixth.
With two runners on base, Hallmark called in freshman utility Diego Diaz to pinch hit for Broc Parmer. Diaz knocked an RBI single along the left field line to extend UTSA’s advantage to four.
After the Islanders scored two of their own in the top of the eighth inning, Hallmark had seen enough and brought in sophomore ace Ruger Riojas to close out the game. Riojas allowed zero runs and earned two strikeouts across two innings, sealing the win for the Roadrunners.
“Between his wins and saves, he’s starting to turn in a little bit like Simon Miller last year,” Hallmark said.
The days of battling to stay above .500 are long over for UTSA. Earlier in the season, Hallmark had emphasized that the team’s record could be attributed to the growing pains that are attached to having a younger squad. Now 37 games into the season, it seems the team has ironed out all their wrinkles and will look to carry this momentum as the AAC Tournament approaches.
The ‘Runners will resume conference play for a three-game series against the UAB Blazers. Game one is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at Roadrunner Field.
