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| Senior Michael Rockett opened his final season as a Roadrunner with two hits, including the 24th home run of his career. |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA used a five-run third inning to rally for an 8-5 victory against San Francisco on Friday night at Wolff Stadium. The victory was the Roadrunners' first opening-day win in nine years and first under the direction of head coach Sherman Corbett.
Senior All-America center fielder Michael Rockett began his final season as a Roadrunner in style, going 2-for-5 with a leadoff home run in the sixth inning. It was the 24th long ball of his career, which stands seventh on UTSA's all-time chart. Senior shortstop Marshal Davis' first game since the 2007 season was just as successful, as the Conroe native went 2-for-3, including a two-run single in the pivotal third frame. Meanwhile, senior right fielder Aaron Powell added a pair of safeties to extend his hitting streak to 12 games dating back to May 3, 2008.
"I thought the guys did a great job of battling back twice in the early innings tonight," Corbett said. "It wasn't the prettiest game in the world at times, but we got great contributions across the board. Not only was it important to pick up a win on opening day, but it also helps us set a positive tone for the rest of the series against a quality ball club from the West Coast."
The Dons jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the opening inning on a pair of hits and an error by freshman first baseman Matthew James. However, UTSA responded with a two-spot of its own in the bottom of the frame on two hits and a pair of errors by San Francisco, the first of five by the Dons on the night.
After USF plated two more in the third to retake the lead and chase UTSA starter Clay Schrader from the game, the Roadrunners took advantage of two more Dons miscues in the bottom of the stanza and ended up crossing the dish a total of five times to post a 7-4 advantage.
James brought home the inning's first run when he was hit by a Matt Lujan pitch with the bases loaded. Davis followed with a two-run single through the left side of the infield, which gave UTSA the lead for good. Junior designated hitter Ryan Rummel lofted a sacrifice fly to center two batters later and Davis came home on a passed ball for the final run of the frame.
It was all Casey Selsor from there, as the true freshman southpaw surrendered just one run on one hit and struck out a half dozen in picking up the relief victory in his collegiate debut. After sophomore righty Kevin Clarke got the final out of the eighth, junior preseason All-American Zach Calhoon fanned two in a perfect ninth for the 20th save of his career.
Schrader, just the second true freshman to start a season opener in school history (first since program's inaugural year, 1992), gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks, while fanning three.
Meanwhile, Lujan was saddled with the loss after allowing all seven runs (three earned) on six hits and five free passes.
Stephen Yarrow led the San Francisco offense with two hits and he drew three bases on balls.
UTSA ended a two-game losing streak at Wolff and the Roadrunners now have won 18 of their last 23 games at the facility.
The four-game series continues with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.