| May 11, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. UTSA set to host Sam Houston State in a pivotal three-game series Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Audio
SAN ANTONIO - With UTSA one back of first-place McNeese State, the Roadrunners open a pivotal three-game set against Sam Houston State on Friday-Sunday, May 12-14, at Roadrunner Field.
UTSA Roadrunners (32-16, 16-8 SLC)
vs.
Sam Houston State Bearkats (23-24, 12-12 SLC) Friday, May 12 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 13 - 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 14 - 1 p.m.
Roadrunner Field - San Antonio, Texas All-Time Series
The Bearkats lead the all-time series, 27-23, over the Roadrunners. Last season, Sam Houston State took the series against UTSA in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats and Runners have split their last 10 meetings.
Last Outing
UTSA managed to avoid getting swept by Louisiana-Monroe with a 5-2 win on Sunday, May 7, at Indian Field. Junior Blake Brannon tossed his first complete game of the season, en route of picking up his second straight win and improve his mark to 5-6 on the year. Brannon scattered seven hits over nine innings, allowed two runs, and struck out four batters. Sophomore Zach Etheredge led UTSA’s offense going 2-for-4 with two runs and two runs batted in. Freshman Michael Rockett had a 3-for-4 day, while scoring twice for UTSA. Junior Ryan Saltzgaber and freshman Phillip Allen collected one RBI apiece.
Scouting Sam Houston State
Sam Houston State enters this weekend series with a 23-24 overall record and a 12-12 SLC mark. The Bearkats have dropped their last five series in a row, including last weekend series against Texas-Alrington. The Bearkats are setting in seventh place in the SLC standings and trail Northwestern State by one game for sixth place. Senior Dustin Martin leads SHSU in batting average (.398), hits (72) and runs scored (44). Junior Karl Krailo tops the team with seven home runs and 58 runs batted in. Martin’s .398 ranks first in the conference.
Chasing The Title
UTSA is sitting in a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings, but are one game back of first place McNeese State with six conference games left. Since joining the Southland Conference in 1992, UTSA has never place higher than 3rd place in the conference.
Brannon Stellar Outing
Blake Brannon has pitched his way back into the rotation with back-to-back wins in his last two starts. Brannon went eight and two-third innings against Stephen F. Austin. He also went the distance for the first time last Sunday against Louisiana-Monroe.
How They Rank In The SLC
Lee Todesco and Michael Rockett are in seventh with a .360 batting average, while Michael McKennon is ninth with a .359 average and is third with 70 hits. Todesco stands in sixth with 46 run batted in. Josh Ruffin leads the SLC with 96.0 innings pitched, four complete games and three shutouts. His seven wins rank fourth in the league. Noah Tritz tops the conference with eight saves and is second with eight wins.
30 Something Accomplished
The Roadrunners secured its fourth ever 30-win season with a sweep of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on May 2. The last time UTSA accomplished this fate was during the 2001 season, when the Runners finished 30-29. Coach Corbett is the second coach in UTSA’s baseball history to have two 30-win seasons.
Looking For The Best Finish
This year’s team has them on pace of having its best season ever in both wins and winning percentage. With 11 games remaining, the Roadrunners on pace for its first ever 40-win season. The 1994 squad fell one win shy of 40, however, they managed to finish the season 39-18 (.684).
Birds Add A Couple Of Games
UTSA has added single games with Texas-Pan American and Dallas Baptist to the schedule as make-ups for games lost earlier this season. UTSA will travel to Edinburg, Texas, for a game at Texas-Pan American on Tuesday, May 16, at 6 p.m. The Roadrunners end their regular season against Dallas Baptist on Monday, May 22, at 3 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.
Todesco’s Belts Islanders
Senior Lee Todesco smacked two home runs against TAMUCC. His first homer was a solo in the fifth inning. Todesco hammered a three-run shot over the left wall in the sixth inning. He also collected a career-high six RBI.
Plunk Record
Junior Michael McKennon became the hit-by-pitch leader with 32 beams. He is two shy of the tying the school record of 19, set by Matt McIntyre in 2001. He also ranks 17th in the nation averaging 0.37 hit by pitch per game.
Offensive Explosion
In Friday’s game against Stephen F. Austin, the Roadrunners punished SFA’s pitching staff with 14 runs off a season-high 18 hits. Junior Ryan Saltzgaber paced the Runners offense with four hits, including a solo blast and drove in three Runners. Also going yard was freshman Michael Rockett.
Nothing New For The Birds
The Roadrunners played in their seventh extra inning ball game this season. Three of the seven games have gone into the 12th inning, with UTSA winning them all.
Finally A Win On Sunday
The 4-3 win over the Lumberjacks on April 30th, gave the Runners their first Sunday win this season. Before Sunday’s win, UTSA was 0-5.
Runners Among Nation’s Best
UTSA has three players nationally ranked this season. Noah Tritz ranks 39th in the nation with eight wins and is 53rd with eight saves. Sophomore Marshal Davis is 39th in the country in walks per game with a 0.77 average. UTSA’s .667 winning percentage is 40th in the nation.
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.
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.
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