UTSA baseball won its series finale against Florida Atlantic University 7-6 on Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (23-7, 5-1 AAC) came into the finale with the overall series victory secured with wins on Friday and Saturday. The ‘Runners held a 4-1 lead entering the fifth inning, but the Owls (19-9, 2-4 AAC), looking to avoid the sweep, took their first lead of the game with four runs in the top of the fifth. After tying the game six all in the seventh, senior outfielder James Taussig drove in the game-winning run to finalize the ‘Runners flawless four-game homestand.
“That was amazing,” Taussig said of his ninth inning RBI. “That was just so cool. I’m glad that I got an opportunity, and I’m happy I could deliver for our team the win.”
After freshman infielder Jordan Ballin doubled down the left field line, Florida Atlantic decided to walk both freshman utility Caden Miller and senior outfielder Mason Lytle, setting the stage for Taussig to earn his second walk-off win of the season. Taussig drove one deep into right field and allowed Ballin to score the winning run.
“That’s a smart baseball play,” Taussig said of the Owls’ gameplan in the final inning. “They want to try and get the double play. I’d hit the ball on the ground a lot all weekend. Sure, I thought a little bit to myself, ‘Dang, they really want to face me again?’ but I was just happy to get the opportunity.”
Lytle got the ‘Runners on the board in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly that brought in Ballin, unearned.
In the fourth, senior catcher Lorenzo Moressi smacked an RBI double into left-center field that brought in junior outfielder Drew Detlefsen. Ballin extended the Roadrunners’ lead with an RBI single that scored Morresi and senior catcher Andrew Stucky.
The Roadrunner rotation consisting of senior pitchers Conor Myles, Gunnar Brown and Jake Cothran, as well as sophomore pitcher Kendall Dove, allowed six runs on 12 hits while tossing seven strikeouts. Brown picked up his second win of the season after allowing zeros across the board against the final four batters.
“He was wonderful today with that big breaking ball,” coach Pat Hallmark said of Brown.
Taussig led in RBIs with three and tied Ballin atop the starting nine in hits with two — on his birthday no less. UTSA has earned its first conference sweep and its fourth series sweep of the season. The Roadrunners’ RPI is now at 39, which places them just behind the University of South Florida with 38. The team’s goal, according to Hallmark, is to maintain a sub-40 RPI, which would keep them in the race for an at-large NCAA tournament bid.
UTSA will next face Texas Christian University at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lupton Stadium.
English
Spanish