| April 11, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. UTSA opens three-game set against Nicholls State at Roadrunner Field Series Notes | Live Audio (Thursday & Friday) | Live Stats
SAN ANTONIO -UTSA is set to host Southland Conference foe Nicholls State for a three-game set on Thursday-Saturday, April 13-15, at Roadrunner Field. First pitch in game one is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. UTSA Roadrunners (20-12, 7-5 SLC)
vs.
Nicholls State Colonels (11-25, 4-11 SLC) Roadrunner Field - San Antonio, Texas
Thursday, April 13 - 3 p.m.
Friday, April 14 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 - 1 p.m. All-Time Series
The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 23-19 against the Colonels. Last season, UTSA took the series versus Nicholls. The Runners have won six of the last seven meetings, including six contests in a row.
Last Outing
Southeastern Louisiana scored three runs in the bottom frame of the seventh inning to defeat UTSA 3-1 and avoid the sweep. Senior J.R. Voyles and sophomore Marshal Davis led UTSA with two hits apiece. Voyles drove the only run for the Roadrunners. Reliever Chris Province picked up his second save of the season, as he held UTSA to two scoreless innings and allowed two hits.
Scouting Nicholls State
Nicholls State is coming off a non-conference loss (7-4) to nationally-ranked Tulane on April 11. The Green Wave scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. In SLC play, the Colonels took two of three against Sam Houston State last weekend. NSU enters this weekend series with an 11-25 overall record and a 4-11 mark in league play. Senior Jose Higuera leads the team with a .342 batting average and 23 runs batted in. Senior Michael Roberts ranks first on the team with two home runs and is second with 18 RBI.
Going the Distance
Josh Ruffin pitched his third complete game of the season, which tops the SLC. The Humble, Texas, native has two shutouts under his belt and is first in that category. On the year, Ruffin is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
Rockett Power
Freshman Michael Rockett is having a terrific rookie season for UTSA. In 25 games played, Rockett is batting .357 and has collected 30 hits in 84 at-bats. He has 14 RBI and is slugging .500.
Touch’em All
McKennon has belted a team-best seven home runs this season, including two walk-off homers. His seven bombs are fifth-best in the conference. He already surpassed his home run total of three from last season. In his freshman season, he smacked two homers.
Win Number 20
With the win on April 8, UTSA picked up its 20th win of the season. Last season, the Roadrunners didn’t reach the 20-win mark until April 26, 2005, when UTSA defeated Texas A&M, 4-2, in College Station.
Extra Extra
The Roadrunners have played in six extra-inning games this season. They have posted a 4-2 mark in those contests. Three of the six games have gone into the 12th inning, with UTSA going 3-0, including two of them being won via walk-off homers. The last time, UTSA played in at least five or more extra inning games was during the 2002 season.
Taking One For The Team
Michael McKennon has been beamed 13 times this season, which leads the team and ranks second in the conference.
Voyles’ Streaking
Voyles currently has a career-best 19-game hitting, which started against Dallas Baptist on March 4. For the month of March, Voyles hit safely in every game.
Multi McKennon
Michael McKennon leads the team with 13 multi-hit games, including eight games with at least two hits.
Rockett Lift-Off
Michael Rockett posted career numbers in the series against McNeese State. He recorded his first four-hit and four-RBI game. He also hit his first collegiate home run in the 8-7 win over the Cowboys on April 1.
Ruffin’s Stellar Outing
Junior right handed pitcher Josh Ruffin pitched one of his best game in his Roadrunner career. Ruffin tossed UTSA’s first solo two-hitter in the 3-0 win against Lamar on March 18. The Humble, Texas native, had no-hitter through seven innings, but Matt Lambeth broke up the no-no with a single.
Ruffin Earns SLC Honors
Ruffin’s picked up UTSA’s first Southland conference weekly pitching honor on March 22.
UTSA Brings Down Elite Programs
UTSA hosted the Baseball Express Collegiate Classic on March 10-13 and went 4-0. The Roadrunners collected wins over two Big Ten schools, Iowa and Illinois, took down a Big 12 program in then-No. 15 Texas A&M and also handled Louisiana-Lafayette to complete the sweep.
Runners Picked Fifth
Although they won the 2005 SLC Tournament, the Roadrunners were showed little love from the conference in the preseason polls. UTSA was picked to finish fifth in both the head coaches and SIDs polls.
Saltzgaber Named To SLC Preseason First Team
Third baseman Ryan Saltzgaber was the lone Runner to be selected 2006 SLC Preseason first team.
Voyles And Vasquez Garner Preseason Second Team All-SLC Mention
Second baseman J.R. Voyles and right-handed pitcher Steven Vasquez earned preseason second team all-conference honors this season.
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