UTSA baseball returned home from a two-week road stretch and handed Tulane University a 13-5 loss on Thursday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (29-9, 11-2 AAC) scored six runs in the first two innings and rode that momentum through the middle innings. The Green Wave (23-16, 7-6 AAC) cut their deficit to two following the conclusion of the fifth inning, to which UTSA promptly responded with a 6-run sixth inning. There was no late-game magic for Tulane as UTSA secured its fourth consecutive win powered by an impressive performance on the mound from the team’s ace.
“We played a complete game,” coach Pat Hallmark said. “Zach Royse was good. It was a windy night with that ball shooting out of here. I thought Tulane competed good at the plate, but Zach was real good. Tonight was a good night to hit, and Zach didn’t back down at all.”
Senior outfielder Garrett Gruell has been battling a leg injury for most of the 2025 campaign, yet when Hallmark needs a sure-fire hit, he gives the nod to Gruell. The former Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander delivered UTSA its first run of the night with a sacrifice fly into right field that allowed senior infielder Norris McClure to score.
“Garrett wants to play,” Hallmark said. “He’s been playing through some [injuries]. He’s tough, and right now our toughness is showing.”
McClure, along with junior infielder Ty Hodge, put the Roadrunners up by five in the second frame with a pair of home runs.
Junior pitcher Zach Royse got his 10th start on the mound and allowed four runs on seven hits, while striking out four batters across six innings.
In the sixth frame, freshman infielder Jordan Ballin scored off a wild pitch. Shortly after, senior outfielder James Taussig knocked an RBI triple down the right field line, giving way for three runners to score. T. Hodge capped off the inning with an RBI double into left field that scored Taussig and junior outfielder Drew Detlefsen.
“I was just trying to get good pitches to hit and get my best pass off. That’s what I’ve been working on with coach Hallmark and coach Aguayo this past week. Just trying to get my best swing off on good pitches. Obviously it’s good when the results go your way,” T. Hodge said after the game.
Senior pitcher Jake Cothran and junior pitcher Sam Simmons closed out the final three innings for UTSA, holding Tulane scoreless in the latter two frames.
T. Hodge tied Taussig for the lead in RBIs with four, and McClure led the team in hits with three. Six different Roadrunners registered hits and had no errors on defense. UTSA maintains sole-possession of first-place in the American Athletic Conference following the win, leading the University of South Florida by two games.
Game two of the Roadrunners’ series against the Green Wave is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Roadrunner Field.
