After both teams combined for 25 runs in the first three innings, the Roadrunner bullpen allowed one run in the final six to help UTSA baseball beat Texas State University 18-13 on Tuesday at Bobcat Ballpark.
The Roadrunners (34-10, 15-3 AAC) jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the second before the Bobcats (21-24, 9-12 SBC) put seven runs on the board in the same inning. UTSA responded with 10 runs in the third frame to quickly re-establish its lead, to which Texas State promptly added four rebuttal runs. Junior pitchers Christian Okerholm, James Hubbard, Connor Kelley, along with senior Braylon Owens, stymied the Bobcats at the plate in the latter-six frames to help the ‘Runners complete their sweep of Texas State in 2025.
“We performed really well. We just trusted our stuff. We weren’t trying to get too sped up, taking it one at-bat at a time,” Okerholm said after the game. “Do your thing and pass it on to the next guy. We produce as a team, so just do your part and we’ll succeed.”
UTSA put its first runs on the board in the second frame off a two-run home run from junior outfielder Drew Detlefsen. Senior outfielder Mason Lytle brought in freshman utility Caden Miller shortly after with an RBI single.
Senior outfielder James Taussig got the ‘Runners’ 10-run third frame started with a solo home run over right field; junior infielder Ty Hodge took his trip around the bases on the following pitch with a solo slam over left field. Miller, Lytle and senior infielder Garrett Gruell picked up RBI singles before senior infielder Norris McClure knocked an RBI double into left-center field. Hodge and Taussig made their way back to the plate and delivered RBIs before Gruell brought in the final run of the inning after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
After a thunderous opening, the storm settled throughout the remainder of the game. The bats on both sides of the diamond fell dormant over the next three frames before the Roadrunners tacked on three runs to their lead in the seventh. UTSA added two insurance runs in the ninth to seal the game.
“In the second inning, I kind of realized it was going to be a game of toughness — mental toughness,” coach Pat Hallmark said. “I thought we won because we were the tougher team.”
Freshman infielder Jordan Ballin led the team in hits with four, while Miller and Lytle tied for the lead in RBIs with three. Okerholm pitched 3.1 innings — the longest of any pitcher — and allowed one run on two hits while tossing three strikeouts. UTSA avenged the team’s 2024 loss and picked up its first win in San Marcos since 2023 in the process.
“The environment early on was pretty crazy,” Miller said. “You’re going to hear stuff in the stands. I just went out there and did what I do — stay simple, stay short and try to think as little as possible.”
UTSA will next face the University of South Florida. Game one of the weekend conference series is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at USF Baseball Stadium.
