· Diamond notes (.pdf)
Games 34-36 • April 13-15 • Northwestern State (15-19, 5-6)
6/2/1 p.m. • Roadrunner Field • San Antonio, Texas
UTSA To Begin Five-Game Home Stand: After spending the last five contests on the road, UTSA returns to the friendly confines of Roadrunner Field when it begins a five-game home stand on Friday night. The Roadrunners open this weekend's action with a three-game set against Northwestern State. Friday’s opener is scheduled for 6 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday’s contests are slated to begin at 2 and 1 p.m., respectively. UTSA brings a 19-14 overall record and 11-1 mark in Southland Conference play into the series.
Scouting The Demons: Northwestern State has a 15-19 overall record and 5-6 mark in SLC play. The Demons have dropped two of their past three games overall and five of the last seven in league play. Northwestern State holds a slim 22-20 edge in the all-time series that dates back to the 1993 series, but UTSA has won three of the past four matchups. The Roadrunners took two of three contests at Roadrunner Field a year ago (March 24-26) before scoring a 10-0 victory in the SLC Tournament (May 25).
UTSA Dominating SLC Series Finales: The Roadrunners, off to a program-best 11-1 start in Southland Conference play (previous: 9-3, 1995), has built that impressive record on the strength of four victories in series finales this season. UTSA — which has scored in double figures in seven of its 12 league games, outscored the opposition by 67 runs (115-48) and is averaging 9.6 runs per contest — has three run-rule triumphs in series finales this year. The Roadrunners defeated McNeese State, 16-2 (eight innings), on March 18; Central Arkansas, 14-1 (seven), on March 25; and Texas-Arlington, 12-1 (seven), last Saturday. The Roadrunners’ lone non-run-rule win was a nine-run triumph (14-5) against Southeastern Louisiana on April 1.
Ten-Run Third A First Since 2005: In their 12-0 victory at Texas-Arlington last Saturday, the Roadrunners scored 10 runs in the third inning, which was the first time since April 20, 2005, that UTSA crossed the plate 10 times in a frame. The Roadrunners sent 15 batters to the dish and had seven hits in the stanza, including a school-record-tying two by both junior Trent Lockwood and sophomore Michael Rockett.
Perfect Start Best Ever: UTSA began the 2007 Southland Conference season a perfect 10-0, which was its best SLC start in school history and tied for the second-best in league history. Lamar started 14-0 in 1984, while Texas-Arlington was 10-0 a year ago. UTSA’s previous best start was 4-0 in both 1994 and ’96.
Bring Out The Brooms: UTSA opened the SLC campaign with consecutive sweeps of McNeese State, Central Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana. The sweeps marked the first time the program’s 16-year history that the Roadrunners swept back-to-back-to-back three-game series against league opponents. UTSA now has swept SLC foes 16 times in school annals, 10 of which have come under the direction of head coach Sherman Corbett.
He’s Going Streaking: Redshirt freshman Tim Palincsar is riding a career-high 13-game streak in which he is hitting .415 (22-53) with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs (.755 slugging pct.) and 18 RBIs. Palincsar also has scored 21 runs, reached base at a .492 clip and stolen five bases during the last 13 contests.
Lineup Changes Do The Trick: Stuck with a 4-9 record and averaging just 4.2 runs per game, head coach Sherman Corbett decided to shuffle his lineup on March 9. The seventh-year skipper moved sophomore James Keithley and redshirt freshman Tim Palincsar into the top two spots in the lineup and junior Zach Etheredge to the six hole. Since those switches, the Roadrunners have posted a 15-5 record, hit .325 as a team and scored an average of 8.1 runs per contest.
Red Hot Offense: After starting the year slowly, the UTSA offense has exploded the past 17 games, 13 of which have resulted in victories. The Roadrunners have scored 145 times (8.5 pg) and outscored the opposition by 60 runs during that time. UTSA has posted a .331 batting average on the strength of 207 hits (12.2 pg), slugged .565 (354 total bases) and reached base at .397 clip. Forty-one percent of the squad’s 207 hits (84) have gone for extra bases, including 46 doubles, 13 triples and 25 home runs. The Roadrunners also have stolen 18 bases in 23 attempts, which translates to an 78.3 percent success rate.
You Dropped A Bomb On Me: Twenty-five of UTSA’s 30 home runs (83.3 pct.) this season have been hit during the past 17 contests. Leading the long ball parade is junior Zach Etheredge, who has slugged six in the past 16 games. Senior Ryan Saltzgaber and sophomore James Keithley have launched four apiece, while junior Trent Lockwood, redshirt freshman Tim Palincsar and sophomore Michael Rockett each have hit three bombs. Lockwood, Rockett and Saltzgaber have grand slams among their homers. Also on the board is senior Mitch Ponza, who has left the yard twice during the past 17 contests.
Close Games: In addition to scoring runs in bunches this year, the Roadrunners have shown the knack of playing close games. Eighteen of the club’s 33 contests (54.5%) this year have been decided by three runs or less and it has an 11-7 mark in those games. UTSA has a 4-3 record in one-run tilts, a 3-3 mark in two-run contests and 4-1 record in games decided by three runs.
No Freebies From Chovanec: Junior Bradley Chovanec has been the Roadrunners’ most consistent starter this season and that is best seen in his 37/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 53.2 innings (12 games/eight starts). Chovanec, who has a 2-3 record and 4.36 ERA this season, is averaging just 1.4 walks per start. Four of his last six starting assignments have resulted in quality starts. He has earned both his victories this season, posted a 3.89 ERA and recorded a 22/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio during that stretch.
Blakley Throwing Strikes: Senior Josh Blakley has been as good as it gets coming out of the UTSA bullpen this season. The Lorena native leads the team with a perfect 4-0 record and 3.20 ERA. Blakley has appeared in 14 contests and has a sterling 33/7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 39.1 innings. The right-hander picked up his fourth victory of the season on March 31 against Southeastern Louisiana after tossing a career-high 5.2 scoreless innings.
Ruffin On The Career Charts: Senior Josh Ruffin’s name can be found all over the Roadrunners’ career record book. The Humble native is UTSA’s all-time record holder with four career shutouts and he also ranks fourth in victories (17), innings pitched (289.1) and complete games (seven); fifth in appearances (74); sixth in strikeouts (177), eighth in games started (34) and ninth in earned run average (4.73).
Home Cooking: Roadrunner Field and Wolff Stadium were tough places for the opposition to play in 2006, as UTSA registered a school-record 24 home victories. That broke the previous mark of 23 home wins set in 1994. The Roadrunners are 11-5 at home this year and now have posted a 254-175 (.592) all-time home record.
Hit The Lights: For the first time in school history, UTSA is playing night games at Roadrunner Field this season. Nine of the team’s 22 contests at the facility are being played under the lights. The Feb. 16 home opener against Louisiana-Lafayette kicked off the night-time action at the “Bird Bath” and UTSA has a 3-1 record under the lights at Roadrunner Field this year.
Tough Schedule: The Roadrunners’ 55-game schedule is highlighted by six opponents that qualified for the 2006 NCAA Tournament — Baylor, College of Charleston, Houston, Rice, Texas and Texas-Arlington. UTSA has a 5-6 record against those squads this season.
Preseason Polls: UTSA was picked to finish second in the West Division by the sports information directors and third by the league’s coaches in the Preseason SLC Polls. The Roadrunners received five first-place votes in the SID rankings and three in the coaches poll. They were six points (51) behind co-favorites Texas-Arlington and Texas State in the coaches poll and only three (58) behind UTA in the SID poll. Defending regular season champion McNeese State was the consensus choice to defend its regular season title in the East.
Trio Named To Preseason All-SLC Teams: Three Roadrunners were named to the preseason All-SLC teams, as senior pitcher Josh Ruffin and sophomore outfielder Michael Rockett were first-team selections and senior third baseman Ryan Saltzgaber was named to the second team. Ruffin earned first-team accolades a year ago, while Rockett was a second-team honoree and Saltzgaber was an honorable mention selection.
What’s Back In 2007: UTSA is coming off a season that saw it finish with a 37-22 record (20-10 SLC). The team welcomes back 17 letterwinners — including five position starters and six pitchers — in addition to 19 newcomers this season. Topping the list of returnees are 2006 first-team All-SLC starting pitcher Josh Ruffin, a senior, and Freshman All-America center fielder Michael Rockett. Also back are sophomore second baseman James Keithley and senior third baseman Ryan Saltzgaber, both of whom earned honorable mention accolades a year ago.
2007 Captains: Senior starting pitcher Josh Ruffin, junior catcher Zach Etheredge and junior shortstop Marshal Davis will serve as team captains this season.
Player Updates
C • Zach Etheredge, Jr. - Starter in all 33 games … leads the squad with six home runs and 10 multi-RBI performances … ranks second with 10 doubles, 31 RBIs and a .563 slugging percentage … also hitting .325 with a triple and .379 on-base percentage … had a seven-game hitting streak from March 17-27 in which he posted a .452 average (14-31) with three doubles, a triple, five home runs (1.097 slg%) and 16 RBIs … hit .500 (5-10) with three doubles and five RBIs in the weekend sweep of Southeastern Louisiana (March 31-April 1) … claimed SLC Hitter of the Week honors on March 26 after he hit .450 (9-20) with three doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 RBIs … named to Southwest Diamond Classic All-Tournament Team (4-10, 4 R, 4 RBIs).
1B/DH • Trent Lockwood, Jr. - Has started 32 games, 29 at first base and three at DH … leads the club in batting average (.375), multi-hit games (17), home runs (six), RBIs (32), total bases (77), slugging percentage (.602) and on-base percentage (.445) … also ranks second in hits (48), multi-RBI contests (eight) and walks (15) … has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 contests (.452 BA, 12 XBH, 20 RBIs, .712 SLG, .524 OBP) … has 13 multi-hit performances during that stretch … had a 12-game hitting streak from March 11-31 in which he posted a .510 batting average (25-49) with eight doubles, a triple, three homers (.898 slg%) and 17 RBIs … hit safely in his first eight games as a Roadrunner (only player with two eight-game streaks this season) … tied a school record with two hits in the third inning on April 7 at Texas-Arlington … had a career-high six RBIs on March 17 at McNeese State … named to Southwest Diamond Classic All-Tournament Team (5-14, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, SB).
2B/LF • James Keithley, So. - Has started 24 games at second base and nine in left field … leads team with three triples … ranks second with 31 runs, 74 total bases and six stolen bases… stands third with 47 hits and five home runs … also has a .326 batting average with six doubles and 20 RBIs … had a career-best 19-game hitting streak snapped on April 7 at Texas-Arlington … hit .400 (36-90) with four doubles, three triples, five home runs (.678 slg%) and 13 RBIs during that stretch … squad is 15-5 since he moved into the leadoff spot on March 9 against the College of Charleston … has scored in 14 of the past 17 games … has .376 batting average (44-117) with eight two-hit games, four three-hit performances and a pair of career-best four-hit efforts (March 10/April 5) in last 26 contests … hitting .366 (45-123) with six doubles, three triples, five home runs and 18 RBIs since starting the season 2-for-21 (.095) … went 7-14 (.500) with four runs scored, a triple, his first homer of the year and four RBIs vs. the College of Charleston (March 9-11) … was 7-for-15 (.467) with eight runs scored, a double, one triple, a pair of home runs and three RBIs vs. Central Arkansas … 2006 honorable mention All-SLC.
3B • Ryan Saltzgaber, Sr. - 2007 preseason second-team All-SLC … starter in all 33 contests … ranks third on the squad with 15 multi-hit performances and two triples … hitting .328 with seven doubles, four home runs, 23 RBIs and four stolen bases … has at least two hits in nine of his last 13 contests … had a career-high 10-game hitting streak from March 11-27 … hit at a .364 clip (16-44) with two doubles, a pair of triples, three homers (.705 slg%) and 14 RBIs during that stretch … has a quartet of three-hit performances this year … 2006 honorable mention All-SLC.
SS • Marshal Davis, Jr. - Starter in all 33 games … has reached base by hit, walk or hit by pitch in 34 of his last 37 games dating back May 22, 2006 … leads team with 26 walks and ranks third with a .406 on-base percentage … also has scored 22 runs, stroked four doubles and two triples and driven in 12 runs … has six two-hit games and a pair of career-high-tying three-hit performances (March 17 at McNeese State/April 1 vs. Southeastern Louisiana).
CF • Michael Rockett, So. - 2007 preseason first-team All-SLC … leads team with 49 hits and 12 doubles … ranks second with a .348 batting average, 16 multi-hit games and 31 RBIs … stands third with 27 runs scored and 72 total bases … also has a triple, three home runs and four stolen bases … has recorded 10 two-hit games, five three-hit performances and a career-high-tying four-hit effort vs. Central Arkansas (March 24) … tied a school record with two hits in the third inning on April 7 at Texas-Arlington … had his first career grand slam and a career-high five RBIs at No. 6 Texas (April 3) … also has a pair of four-RBI efforts (Feb. 27, vs. Houston/March 25, vs. Central Arkansas) … was 10-for-13 (.769) with two doubles, a triple, his first homer of the season and six RBIs in the three-game sweep of Central Arkansas … 2006 Freshman All-America and second-team All-SLC selection.
LF/DH • Tim Palincsar, Fr. - Starter in 30 games this year (5 LF/25 DH)… leads club with 36 runs scored and eight stolen bases … ranks second with a .418 on-base percentage and eight multi-RBI games … is third with a .339 batting average, 10 doubles, a .542 slugging percentage and 14 walks … also has a triple, four home runs and 26 RBIs … riding a career-high 13-game hitting streak in which he has a .415 (22-53) batting average with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs (.755 slugging pct.) and 18 RBIs … also has reached base at a .492 clip and stolen five bases during the last 13 contests … seven of his last 12 starts have resulted in at least two hits … had a career-best four RBIs on April 1 vs. Southeastern Louisiana and matched that performance on April 7 at Texas-Arlington … has recorded a career-high three hits four times this year (March 3, 18, 27 & April 1) … hit his first career homer vs. the College of Charleston on March 10 … had seven-game hitting streak from Feb. 23-March 4 (.385/10-26) … named to the Al Ogletree Classic All-Tournament Team (5-11, 2 R, 2B, SB).
SP • Josh Ruffin, Sr. - Preseason first-team All-SLC pick is one of the best pitchers in school history … leads team with 38 strikeouts in a staff-best 53.2 innings and also has four quality starts … is 3-2 with 5.70 ERA in his nine starting assignments … went 7.2 innings, allowing three runs, in earning win at Texas Arlington (April 5) … tossed a four-hitter for first complete game of year and struck out seven, as UTSA won its SLC opener at McNeese State (March 16) … allowed just one run on five hits and fanned six in seven innings vs. the College of Charleston (March 9) … struck out career-high nine and picked up first victory of year vs. Gonzaga (Feb. 23) after allowing just three runs on six hits in eight-plus innings … 2006 first-team All-SLC pick.
SP • Bradley Chovanec, Jr. - Second on the squad with 37 strikeouts (just 12 walks) and ranks second with 4.36 ERA in a team-high 53.2 innings … has appeared in 12 games with eight starts and has won two of his last three starting assignments for a 2-3 record this season … four of last six outings have resulted in quality starts … tossed a complete-game five-hitter (one run) and struck out five against Southeastern Louisiana (March 31) … gave up two runs and fanned six in seven innings vs. Central Arkansas (March 24) to collect his first UTSA victory … allowed three runs in 6.1 innings, while striking out five vs. Sam Houston State (March 3) … made first career start on Feb. 17 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K) … has allowed just one run and fanned six in four relief appearances (9 IP).
SP • Ryan Proudfoot, Fr. - Has 2-1 record and 2.08 ERA in eight games (five starts) … has allowed just 16 hits (.167 BAA) and struck out 27 in 26 innings … picked up a pair of wins during the week of March 19-25 … tossed five hitless innings with four strikeouts vs. Lamar (March 20) and then allowed just one run on four hits and punched out career-high 11 in six innings vs. Central Arkansas four days later (March 25) … has allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and fanned 19 in last four starts, which covers a span of 17.1 innings (1.05 ERA).
SP • Blake Brannon, Sr. - Third on the team with 34 punchouts in 35.1 innings of work … sports 2-4 record and 7.90 ERA in his eight starts … tossed five scoreless frames and fanned five at Texas-Arlington (April 7) … allowed two runs and struck out six in seven innings at McNeese State (March 18) … registered first quality start of year vs. the College of Charleston (March 11) … allowed pair of runs (one earned) on just six hits in seven-plus innings, while tying career high with eight strikeouts … entered senior season riding UTSA-record 29 scoreless innings streak and extended that stretch to 30 before giving up run vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (Feb. 16).
RP • Josh Blakley, Sr. - Has appeared in 14 games and leads team with a perfect 4-0 record and 3.20 ERA … also has one save and a 33/7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 39.1 innings of work … fanned a career-high six in victory against St. Mary’s (Feb. 26) … tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, a career high, against Southeastern Louisiana (March 31) … has gone at least four innings in six contests and 3.1 innings in another.
RP • J.T. Mackey, Jr. - Sports a 4-2 mark with team-leading three saves … has recorded a 4.50 ERA in 17 games (one start) and has struck out 22 in 28 innings of work … made first career start at No. 13 Texas A&M … collected fourth win of year with a career-high five scoreless innings at McNeese State (March 17) … got out of a bases-loaded jam with nobody out in the eighth to keep Roadrunners within one run in that contest … earned both of team’s victories vs. the College of Charleston … picked up first UTSA victory with two scoreless innings against Stephen F. Austin (March 2) … earned first save against St. Mary’s (Feb. 26) … saved the Roadrunners’ 6-3 victories at Texas-Arlington (April 5) and against Southeastern Louisiana (March 31).
RP • Zach Calhoon, Fr. - Has a 2-1 record with squad-best three saves in 14 appearances … has a 2.50 ERA and allowed just nine hits (.153 BAA), while striking out 26 in 18 innings … named SLC Pitcher of the Week on March 5 after posting a win (vs. Houston) and a save (vs. Stephen F. Austin) … struck out career-high five in 4.2 innings vs. Cougars (Feb. 27) … collected his second victory of the season vs. Southeastern Louisiana (April 1) … fanned final two batters against Gonzaga (Feb. 23) to earn first collegiate save.
Head Coach Sherman Corbett: With more than 20 years of playing and coaching experience, Sherman Corbett is in his seventh season at UTSA. The winningest coach in school history (194 victories), Corbett led the Roadrunners to 37 victories a year ago, the second-most in school history. In his first six seasons, he has coached a pair of 30-win squads and 24 All-SLC players, including seven first-teamers. Corbett also has mentored the 2001 SLC Pitcher of the Year (Jared Howton), 2002 SLC Player and Hitter of the Year (Mark Schramek), 2003 SLC Freshman of the Year (Ryan Crew) and two Freshman All-Americans — Crew (2003) and Michael Rockett (2006). Twelve of his Roadrunners have gone on to professional careers, including eight being selected in the MLB Draft.
