UTSA Opens Conference Play with Series Win Against Nemesis Charlotte

The UTSA Roadrunners opened conference play with a big series win over their past and current conference nemesis, the Charlotte 49ers. With the series rubber match win, they also took over the all-time series record, 19-18. 

Charlotte and UTSA Baseball has always had great storylines. Whether it’s past Roadrunners not being fond of them, or the success Charlotte has recently had over UTSA in the tournament, you know you’re always in for a good one when these two programs meet. 

This weekend was no different. After Charlotte got the first win in a classic pitcher’s duel, the ‘Runners answered back in a big way on Saturday. Sunday featured another barn burner, this time with the good guys coming out on top. UTSA will be back in action at the Bird Bath on Tuesday, with the Texas State Bobcats coming to town. Before that, let’s get into this week’s full-count recap. 

STRIKES…

A big response…

The team and individuals answered back in a lot of ways. After Charlotte’s Blake Gillespie outdueled UTSA’s Zach Royse, you had to think the Roadrunners would come out firing on Saturday. 

After being held to just two runs on five hits Friday, they managed to score ten runs on fourteen hits in Saturday’s win. They scored early, giving Braylon Owens a lead before he even threw a pitch. Thanks to Andrew Stucky’s third home run in as many games, and Drew Detlefsen’s grand slam, they tripled their lead by the third. 

It was also a bounce back for Zach Royse and Owens. Both starts against DBU were ones to learn from and move past. After they both got “bullpen sessions” in Tuesday’s big win, they tossed gems in the weekend slate. 

Although Royse earned the loss, he went 7 innings pitched, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, and recorded nine strikeouts. Owens possibly pithed his best outing of the season (especially considering it a conference weekend). He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, struck out 7, and went 8 innings pitched. 

These two performances along with Myles and Orloski pairing up on Sunday allowed UTSA to get through the weekend only using six pitchers. 

The team has responded continuously this season. After opening the season 1-3, they have gone 18-4 over their last 22 games to improve to 19-7 on the year They are now half-way to matching the program’s single season win record of 38. 

Lastly, since Coach Hallmark’s arrival, he has prided his team to “Win Sunday”. Depending on how the first few games of the series go, Sunday’s finale can have different implications. They needed to do that today to bounce back with series wins. 

Hallmark is now 40-20 in Sunday games. 

Defensive Help… 

UTSA prides themselves on throwing strikes. Or at the very least, even if they are struggling, that is the goal. This approach can lead to more pitching to contact, putting more reliance on your defense. The defense showed up this weekend. 

Across the three games, only one error went down in the books. It is fair to say that it was costly, as it gave Charlotte an extra run in the bottom of the 3^rd on Friday, a game they won 3-2. 

The defense, both infield and outfield, played a clean rest of the weekend with several web-gem plays.

 Jordan Ballin made an acrobatic catch over his shoulder to end the inning. Ty Hodge made a great play on what is becoming a patented backhanded snag, spin, and throw to first. (Hodge also made the identical play that proved crucial in Tuesday’s win against Texas) Even earlier in the weekend, Hodge made that same play and while the throw wasn’t in time, it saved a run. And Drew Detlefsen made a nice snag on Saturday to prevent a double while the game was still close. 

It seems appropriate that as the season goes on, the team is getting their chemistry sorted. Checking back through the stat lines, it’s no secret UTSA gives up some hits. Knowing you have a defense that is improving and can bail you out will only help a pitcher with his confidence and stuff. 

Small Ball or Power; Dealer’s choice…

I’ve seen too many games where UTSA simply could not get the bunt down. I’ve seen games where it looked like they couldn’t buy a home run. It’s been a different story throughout this season, to include this weekend. 

While one included a very exciting (and some help) inside the park home run, both of UTSA’s runs on Friday were homers. 

They hit two on Saturday that combined for five of the ten RBIs. Mason Lytle hit his second of the weekend on Sunday that gave UTSA an early lead and proved to be a massive two-run shot in a game UTSA won 6-5. 

The Roadrunners also used bunts and stolen bases to move runners. Four stolen bases, successful hit and runs, and some drag bunts made them multi-dimensional against a team with some very good pitching. 

BALLS

Missing Pinch Hitters… 

UTSA didn’t get any production from their pinch hitters this weekend. That includes them going 0-3 with pinch hitters in Friday’s loss. They ran into an absolute buzzsaw in Blake Gillespie. Sometimes the guy sixty feet away just has everyone’s number. 

This is a similar category with sacrifice bunting. You want to be able to get the production when you need it. It hasn’t been a category UTSA has struggled in all year, but they will certainly have more close games, especially in conference play. How the pinch hitters do throughout conference play will be something I’m keeping my eye on. 

Strikeouts and LOB…

In every game, UTSA either matched or struck out more at the plate than Charlotte. Thirteen on Friday, seven on Saturday, and eleven on Sunday. 

The strikeout to walk ratio by Charlotte’s staff was something I mentioned in the series preview. The Roadrunners struck out 31 times and only walked seven. If you saw those stats alone, you’d probably be certain they lost the series, not the other way around. 

That is what is special about this team. They are gritty. They are going to battle. They did get 29 hits across the weekend. Like what we mentioned with UTSA’s pitching, the balls were there for putting bat on ball. This was a large factor in UTSA’s series win. 

The other obvious downside to a lot of strikeouts is that it doesn’t put the ball in play. 

We’ve seen this season that when UTSA puts the ball in play good things happen. Their hustle and grit shine through when they get onto the basepaths. 

In two out of three this weekend, they left more runners on base than Charlotte. Saturday can be ruled out with the lobsided win. Friday was low, but they also didn’t put that many on. Sunday could have been costly. 

Despite only winning by one, they doubled the number of hits by the 49ers. Too many times, there were multiple runners on with just one out.

It’s a catch 22, because they have no problem putting them on. And they are 19-7 on the year. Hopefully it is something that can continue to be cleaned up, and the strikeouts and LOB can go down. 

THE PAY OFF PITCH…

Overall, it was a successful road trip for the ‘Runners. They came out on top, going 4-3, while also adding two ranked wins to their résumé. They are now back to .500 when playing on the road this season. 

The good news is that they return home for the next four and bring a 13-1 home record with them. The opponent will be the ever exciting and dramatic Texas State Bobcats. 

There is something about this series that always produces fireworks. It’s a midweek game, it’s a team just up the road, and both teams really, really want to win. 

In 2023, they split the home and away, with both teams beating the other team at their own park. Last year, they both lost on the road. This year, they both have a midweek win over Texas A&M and loss to UIW the following week. 

While UTSA has gone 7-4 since their win over A&M, it hasn’t been the same for the Bobcats. Since their win over then #1 Texas A&M, the Bobcats went on a skid. They dropped 10 of their next twelve before getting back on track this weekend with a sweep over Sun Belt foe, Arkansas State. 

But this is a midweek game. It’s a rivalry, and all bets are off. 

At the plate, the Bobcats have struggled. They only have two players hitting over .300. The power largely hasn’t been there, with their team leader only having four homers on the year and nobody else has more than two. 

Ryne Farber who leads the team in several categories and has six stolen bases on nine attempts. No one else has more than three attempts. 

Their discipline has also struggled at the plate, with only two batters who walk more than they strikeout. 

On the mound they pose some threats. Unless you follow an opposing team closely, it can be difficult to know who the midweek guys are. UTSA also will be bringing an RPI of 70 into the game, so it could be a big boost to Texas State’s 169 if the Bobcats can (what I’m calling) upset the Roadrunners. 

The Bobcats only have three bullpen guys with ERAs under 5.00- and double-digit innings pitched. The biggest goal for UTSA is get off to a fast start, get to the bullpen to see how many guys Texas State wants to throw, and get this one done (at least figuratively) early. 

Don’t let the Bobcats 11-12 record fool you. They’ve had some good wins and have played some tough teams close. And not to seem like a broken record, but it’s a midweek. UIW, who snapped UTSA’s 14 game winning streak is currently 11-14. 

If you are in the area, and available, I encourage you to make it out to the Bird Bath for this one. It never disappoints. 

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