| April 27, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. UTSA baseball set to host Stephen F. Austin at Roadrunner Field Game Notes | Live Audio (Friday & Sunday) | Live Stats
SAN ANTONIO - The UTSA baseball team returns to SLC action this weekend against Stephen F. Austin on Friday-Sunday, April 28-30, at Roadrunner Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 3 p.m. UTSA Roadrunners (26-14, 12-6 SLC)
vs.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (8-36. 3-18 SLC) Friday, April 28 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 29 - 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 30 - 1 p.m.
Roadrunner Field - San Antonio, Texas All-Time Series
The Roadrunners lead the all-time series, 8-4, over the Lumberjacks. The last meeting between these two clubs was during the 1995 season, where the Runners swept the Lumberjacks on Feb. 18-19 at Roadrunner Field.
Last Outing
UTSA dropped a 9-3 decision to Big 12 foe Texas A&M on April 25 at Olsen Field in College Station, Texas. For the season, the Roadrunners ended with a 2-3 mark against Big 12 schools. Senior Lee Todesco, sophomore Marshal Davis and junior Michael McKennon paced UTSA with two hits on the night. McKennon drove in two of UTSA’s three runs. Junior Blake Brannon suffered his sixth loss of the season and dropped his record to 3-6. He went four and two-third innings, allowed two runs off six hits, struck out two and walked three batters.
Scouting Stephen F. Austin
After an 11-year absence, Stephen F. Austin brought back its baseball program in 2006. The Lumberjacks enter this weekend series with a 8-36 mark and an 3-18 record in SLC play. SFA was swept last week by Tulane in New Orleans, La., at Zephyr Field. The Lumberjacks have lost six of the their last eight games, including three in a row. SFA’s only conference wins have come against Northwestern State, Nicholls State and Texas State.
Aggie Pitching Stops UTSA’s Offense
In Tuesday’s game against the Aggies, the Roadrunners were outscored 9-3 and out hit 15-9. UTSA left 13 runners on base, including six in scoring position. Texas A&M’s pitching staff collected 10 strike outs on the night.
RPI Ranking
At one point in time, the UTSA baseball team was ranked 43rd in the RPI according to Boydsworld.com web site. Heading into this weekend series against SFA, the Runners currently stand 56th. Lamar is behind the Roadrunners in the RPI standings at 62nd.
Runners Among Nation’s Best
UTSA has three players nationally ranked this season. Senior Noah Tritz is 13th in the nation with eight wins and is 42nd with seven saves. Sophomore Marshal Davis is 40th in the country in walks per game with a 0.77 average. Junior Michael McKennon ranks 14th in hit-by-pitch category at 0.41. UTSA’s .667 winning percentage is 36th best in the nation.
Reaching 30 Something
In the 14 year history, the UTSA baseball program has had only three 30-win seasons. This year’s ball club is on pace of becoming the fourth team to reach 30. The last time the Roadrunners reached 30 wins was during coach Corbett’s first year at UTSA (2001).
Ruffin’s Haltered Mavs Offense
Josh Ruffin tossed his SLC leading third shutout on April 22 against UTA. Ruffin scattered six hits in nine innings, struck out five Mavericks and allowed two walks. He also went the distance for the fourth time this season, which also leads the conference. Ruffin is 6-1 on the year and 4-0 in SLC play. All of his shutouts have come on the road.
Josh Collects Pitcher of the Week Honors
In a week’s span, the Humble, Texas, native got the start against then No. 5 Texas Longhorns, were he went three innings, fanned three batters and allowed one run off two hits. He helped UTSA win the series versus UTA with a stellar outing on April 22. His performance gave Ruffin his second Aeropostale/SLC Pitcher of the Week honor.
Unlucky Sunday
This season the Roadrunners have entered Sunday games tied or leading the series, however, the Runners are 0-5 in Sunday games.
Take That Texas!!!
UTSA ended a 13-game losing streak against the Texas Longhorns with a 14-10 win on April 18 at Wolff Stadium. The Roadrunners manage to overcome three deficits, none bigger then the four-run lead (10-6) UT had after six innings. The Runners scored eight runs in the last two innings to complete the rally and score the biggest win in UTSA baseball history.
Streak Come To An End
Voyles 23-game hitting streak came to an end on April 22. The Tomball, Texas native had an 0-for-4 night. His streak spanned over two a and half months. During his hitting streak, he upped his batting average from .216 to .303.
Touch’ em All
McKennon has belted a team-best eight home runs this season, including two walk-off homers. His nine bombs are fourth best in the conference. He already surpass his home run total of three from last season. In his freshman season, he smacked two homers.
Slugfest II
UTSA couldn’t get enough of its recent slugfest against Nicholls State, that they decided to add a sequel. UTSA and UT combined for 24 runs and 26 hits. The Roadrunners have scored over 10 runs and collected doubles digits in hits, in the last three games. The Runners are batting .409 with 47 hits and scored 40 runs during those three contests.
Slugfest I
UTSA and Nicholls State slugged it out this weekend. Both team combined for 76 hits and 57 runs, including a wild one on Friday, April 14, were both squads compelled 30 runs off 31 hits and 20 walks. For the weekend, UTSA batted .394 as a team.
Walk The Line
Second baseman J.R. Voyles set a single-game school record with five walks in his first five plate appearances. He was one walk shy of tying a NCAA and SLC record for most free passes in a game (6).
Rockett Power
Freshman Michael Rockett is having a terrific rookie season for UTSA. In 33 games played, Rockett is batting .358, which is sixth best in the league and leads the team. He also has 43 hits in 120 at-bats, 19 RBI and is slugging .483.
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, 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.
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.
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