Junior pitcher Zach Royse allowed nine runs in the third inning before falling to Dallas Baptist University 14-3 on Friday at Horner Ballpark.
The Roadrunners (15-5) entered the third inning with momentum following a two-run home run from senior outfielder James Taussig. However, the No. 20 Patriots (13-4) proceeded to put nine runs on the board against the Roadrunners’ ace. Dallas Baptist piled on throughout the remainder of the game and handed UTSA its second-straight loss.
“Mostly, I saw the opponent hit really well,” coach Pat Hallmark said after the game. “We didn’t pitch great, but we didn’t pitch terrible. They did a good job with the bat, more than anything. We could be a bit better, but I wasn’t all that disappointed with our guys. Tonight, I just tip my hat to Dallas Baptist hitters.”
The ‘Runners drew first blood in the opening inning off a single from Taussig. A throwing error from Patriots infielder Chayton Krauss allowed Taussig to reach second and freshman utility Caden Miller to score.
After Taussig’s home run in the second, Dallas Baptist hit three home runs in the third.
Hallmark called upon senior pitcher Gunnar Brown to try and stop the bleeding midway through the third; Brown allowed a home run before the Roadrunners exited the inning.
The Patriots scored once more in the fourth before Hallmark pulled Brown in favor of junior pitcher Christian Okerholm. The Charlotte transfer allowed a two-run RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, putting the Roadrunners in run-rule territory.
With the game on the line, the UTSA offense failed to muster up a score; the game was called after seven innings.
Taussig led in hits and RBIs with two apiece; senior infielder Norris McClure, freshman infielder Jordan Ballin and junior designated hitter Broc Parmer were the only other ‘Runners to register hits. The Roadrunner rotation allowed 14 runs on 14 hits, while walking eight batters — a performance that has sent Hallmark and his staff back to the drawing board.
“Some things could change,” Hallmark said. “Me, coach Butler and the catchers need to get together — and we will — and talk about the way we’re pitching a few of them. This is one of those teams that you can actually pitch them right and they could still get a hit because they’re good. So maybe that was it, but I just want to get input from the catchers. They’re the ones back there, so they got the best look at the pitches.
“Other than that, I don’t think we change much. We didn’t swing the bats bad; that pitcher is really good. He was throwing 94-96 [miles-per-hour]. More than anything, I just want to get with the catchers and maybe talk about the way we’re pitching some of their hitters.”
Game two of the Roadrunners’ series against the Patriots is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Horner Ballpark.
English
Spanish