· Box score
FRISCO – Junior Trent Lockwood hit his third home run in as many games and senior starting pitcher Josh Ruffin tossed six-hit ball for eight-plus innings, as UTSA picked up a 4-3 victory against Gonzaga on Friday at the Southwest Diamond Classic. The Roadrunners stole five bases on the day, their most since swiping five against Lamar on May 14, 2005.
However, the Roadrunners’ first victory of the season did not come without drama. The Zags rallied in the ninth, plating a run to pull within one and they had runners on second and third with one out. Freshman Zach Calhoon, who relieved Ruffin after the first three hitters of the inning reached base, struck out the final two batters of the game to squelch the rally and collect his first career save.
Ruffin (1-2) was solid in his third start of the season. The right-hander allowed three runs on just six hits and struck out a career-best nine in earning his 15th career victory (t-5th in UTSA history).
The Roadrunners (1-6) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first when junior Marshal Davis reached on an error to lead off the inning. Junior Greg Sillivent followed with a single to left field and Lockwood plated Davis with a one-out single to left. A double steal by Sillivent and Lockwood gave UTSA runners at second and third and, two batters later, redshirt freshman Tim Palincsar took advantage when he hit a bloop single over second baseman Evan Wells that scored Sillivent.
Gonzaga (3-8) tied the game at two with single runs in the second and third, but Lockwood launched a two-run shot to left with two outs in the bottom half of the third that gave UTSA the lead for good. The Roadrunners’ first baseman was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a stolen base and he has hit safely in all six of his starts this season.
Zags starter Brandon Harmon (0-3) went the distance, allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits in eight innings. Harmon struck three and walked just one.
The Roadrunners conclude their four-game road trip against Missouri State (1-0) on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
