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| Senior Bradley Chovanec and sophomore Zach Calhoon combined to throw a five-hit shutout on Friday night. | |
SAN MARCOS ? Senior right-hander Bradley Chovanec held Texas State to just four singles in seven strong innings for his Southland Conference-leading ninth win of the year and sophomore closer Zach Calhoon struck out three over the final two frames for his league-best 13th save, as UTSA picked up a 3-0 victory at Texas State on Friday night.
Chovanec was outstanding in his final regular season start of the year. The Burton native struck out four of the first five hitters he faced and never looked back. He finished the outing with a half dozen punchouts and walked just one in the 99-pitch gem. He allowed just four runners to reach scoring position and was backed by a solid defense. Calhoon was called in from the bullpen to start the eighth and he recorded the final six outs to preserve the three-run victory.
The Roadrunners, who returned to their winning ways after dropping the first two games of the week, improved to 38-16 overall and 22-7 in league play. The Bobcats, meanwhile, saw their overall mark fall to 28-25 and 18-11.
UTSA got all the offense it would need in the third when senior second baseman Phillip Allen drew a lead-off walk, moved to third on a double down the left-field line by junior shortstop James Keithley and scored on a fielder's choice grounder to short off the bat of sophomore designated hitter Tim Palincsar.
Junior center fielder Michael Rockett led off the sixth with his 10th home run of the year to extend the lead to two and a two-out RBI single by senior catcher Zach Etheredge in the ninth completed the scoring.
Texas State starter Zach Tritz (9-3), the younger brother of former UTSA hurler Noah Tritz (2005-06), was saddled with the loss after giving up a pair of runs on just four hits and two walks in five-plus innings.
The series concludes at 2 p.m. on Saturday. UTSA southpaw Kris Ruepke (6-2, 4.39 ERA) will take the mound in search of his sixth consecutive victory. Right-hander Steven Siers (5-2, 5.45) will get the nod for the Bobcats.