February 23, 2004 Complete Release UTSA Roadrunners (4-3) at No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies (7-0) Game 8 • Tuesday, Feb. 24 • 7 p.m. |
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UTSA Today
UTSA enters the game with a 4-3 record after winning its second series of the year, taking two-of-three from Army in San Antonio over the weekend. The Aggies are the second Big 12 opponent for the Roadrunners this season having already faced Baylor and with Texas remaining. The Runners are 13-42 all-time against opposition from the Big 12.
The Series: UTSA vs. Texas A&M
Texas A&M leads the all-time series with UTSA by the count of 11-6. The Roadrunners won the teams' second meeting last season, 6-5 on Mar. 18 at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. UTSA and Texas A&M have played twice each of the last two seasons with each team winning in their respective city. With an even 3-3 record against Texas A&M under Coach Sherman Corbett, the Roadrunners have beat the Aggies more times under the current skipper than any before him.
Last Time Out: 2/22 UTSA drops final game of the series to Army, 6-3
SAN ANTONIO - Lee Todesco hit his second home run of the season going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs on the day, but it was not enough for the Roadrunners as Army defeated UTSA 6-3 in the final game of the three-game set Sunday afternoon at Wolff Stadium.
UTSA (4-3) took a brief 1-0 lead in their half of the second with Todesco driving in Zach Etheredge after Etheredge connected for a two-out double. Army was quick to answer in the top of the third as the Black Knights loaded the bags with a single from Justin Long followed by Schuyler Williamson being hit by a Klae Boehme pitch and an infield single by Walker Gorham. Boehme then gave up a one-out walk plating Long, before Jeremy Stache grounded out to bring home Williamson.
The Roadrunners had a key opportunity taken away in the fourth when a line drive by Etheredge on a hit and run call on the bases turned into a triple play for the Black Knights, thwarting the 'Runners' rally.
With that momentum shift, Nate Stone added to the Black Knight lead in the fifth with a two-run homer, the team's first of the year, for a 4-1 Army advantage. Todesco answered for the 'Runners with a leadoff solo shot in the home half to cut the lead to 4-2.
The Black Knights were not done however, tacking on two more insurance runs in the seventh when Williamson scored on a single by Stone after doubling and Stone scored on a Stache single after stealing second.
Dustin Perez picked up his second hit of the afternoon in the top of the ninth to score Aric Green who came up with a pinch-hit single, but the Roadrunner rally would fall short, 6-3.
Nick Hill (1-0) earned his first win of the season going five innings allowing two runs on just four hits and a walk while striking out five 'Runners. Boehme fell to 1-1 on the year going six and two thirds innings and surrendering six runs on 12 hits and two walks while fanning seven in the loss for UTSA.
At the Helm
Fourth year head coach Sherman Corbett is the third UTSA skipper in baseball history. With an overall record of 84-85 (.429) entering the 2004 season, Corbett has posted more wins in his first three seasons than either coach before him.
A Tale of Two Ballparks
The Roadrunners call two places home this year as they have since 1998, playing home games at both Wolff Stadium and Roadrunner Field. UTSA will play 21 games at Wolff Stadium located off campus and seven games on campus at Roadrunner Field.
Going Deep
Through six games this season, the Roadrunners have already hit 11 home runs after hitting just two to this point a year ago. It was March 19, 2003 before the 'Runners hit 10 last season. Among the sluggers for UTSA are Chris Lewis (3), Sam Mitchell (2), Ryan Crew (1), Zach Etheredge (1), Robbie Johns (1) and Lee Todesco (2).
A Look Back - 1994
It was 10 years ago this season that the UTSA baseball team, a then third-year program, captured the 1994 Southland Conference Tournament Championship and advanced to its first and only NCAA Tournament appearance.
So Fresh and So Clean
After a packed roster of 12 seniors a year ago, the 2004 roster is filled with 22 freshmen and sophomores combined.
Crew Tabbed Preseason All-SLC
PLANO, Texas - University of Texas at San Antonio sophomore Ryan Crew has been named to the 2004 all-Southland Conference (SLC) preseason second team it was announced Wed., Jan. 21 by the league office.
Crew, the 2003 SLC Freshman of the Year and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, is the lone UTSA representative. The Roadrunners' shortstop started 52 games as true freshman a year ago. He led the team in four statistical categories his rookie season including batting average (.313), hits (68), doubles (14) and total bases (101). The Sugar Land (Texas) native tied for the second-most homers on the team with five and had a team-best 17 multi-hit games.
In the SLC preseason polls, also released Wednesday, UTSA was picked eighth and seventh, respectively, by the league's coaches and sports information directors.
On Deck
UTSA will return home this weekend to host a three-game set with George Washington University, Fri.-Sun. at 7 p.m., 2 p.m. and noon, respectively, at Wolff Stadium.