UTSA baseball has flamed out of postseason play in the past two years. After coming out of the 2023 offseason relatively unscathed, the Roadrunners’ roster was finally hit by the transfer portal in 2024. Replacing talent is never easy, especially when the program loses five All-Conference players.
With his work cut out for him, coach Pat Hallmark and his staff got to work plugging the holes on the roster. Here are three new additions that could have the biggest impact for the Roadrunners in 2025.
Ty Hodge, infielder
In recent years, the team has struggled with its infield defense. Now with gaps inside those vital infield positions, the chosen starter for the positions is more crucial than ever. When Hallmark was asked who would fill the gap at shortstop that former Roadrunner Matt King left, he gave the nod to Hodge.
“At this point, I can say it would be Ty Hodge’s job to lose,” Hallmark said. “Very, very talented player. The talent is there for him to be a terrific baseball player, and we’re very excited to have him.”
Hodge came over from Houston Christian University where he started 50 games while collecting 46 hits, four home runs and slashing .249 at the plate. Hodge’s collegiate career began in 2022 at Texas A&M University where he saw limited action as a freshman. He’s a right-handed hitter that possesses good speed, posting a 6.52 60-yard dash with a 1.67 10-yard split. Hallmark did note that Hodge has a bit of an injury issue. If he’s able to stay on the diamond, expect for him to be a key cog in the Roadrunner offense.
Jordan Ballin, infielder
Ballin can play shortstop and second base according to Hallmark, and is in contention for the starting spot at both.
“If Ty is not able to go with the injuries, it’ll be Jordan Ballin, local freshman from Boerne. Terrific player, so those will probably be the leading two candidates,” Hallmark said.
“Jordan is battling Diego [Diaz] tooth-and-nail,” he added when asked about second base.
Ballin flashed in the team’s Fall World Series, showcasing his quick speed and his ability to reach base. Ballin joins the Roadrunners as the No. 67 ranked shortstop in the state according to Perfect Game. He projects to be a fan-favorite with a last name like “Ballin” – though Hallmark notes is actually pronounced “bah-YEEN.”
Kendall Dove, pitcher
Dove, along with fellow newcomer Sam Simmons, were names coined by returning players James Taussig and Zach Royse as players on the revamped pitching rotation that have stood out throughout the offseason. Dove boasts an array of different pitches, all with impressive speeds. The most notable of the bunch is his 88 mile-per-hour fastball. Hailing from New Caney, Texas, Dove played his freshman season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi where he notched 24 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. With Hallmark looking to fill his “stopper” role that Ruger Riojas filled in 2024, don’t be surprised if Dove acquires the mantle.
UTSA baseball will begin its 2025 campaign this weekend, Feb. 14-16, against the University of Texas at Arlington — a rematch of the Roadrunners’ opening series in 2024.
