| Junior Red Patterson was victorious for the third time in his last four outings on Thursday night (photo courtesy of Shawn Davis). |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA got eight strong innings from junior right-hander Red Patterson and the Roadrunners used a pair of three-run frames to get past Northwestern State, 7-4, in Thursday's opener of a three-game Southland Conference series at the Bird Bath.
UTSA won for the second time in the last three days to improve to 18-15 overall and 9-7 in league play, while the Demons (14-15, 8-7 SLC) dropped their fourth decision in the last half dozen games.
Patterson (4-2) gave up just a pair of runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six in winning for the third time in his last four outings. It was the second start in a row that the Frisco native tossed eight panels and his third quality start this spring. Meanwhile, junior righty Zach Calhoon helped the Birds wiggle out of a ninth-inning jam to record his fourth save in eight opportunities this season.
The Roadrunners took an early lead with three runs in the first off Northwestern State's Ben Rodriguez (0-3), who was making just his third start of the year.
Senior Marshal Davis got the frame going with his single to left center and senior Jose Hernandez followed with an RBI double down the left-field line to put UTSA in front. Senior All-American Michael Rockett then chopped a base hit through the left side of the infield and a Rodriguez wild pitch one batter later allowed Hernandez to cross the plate with the game's second run. After a walk to junior Lance Brown and a single to right off the bat of senior Aaron Powell loaded the bases, sophomore Ryan Hutson lofted a sacrifice fly to right to give the Birds an early 3-0 advantage.
A run-scoring base hit to left by Powell in the fifth pushed the lead to four, but the Demons got the tally back a stanza later when Hutson was wild with a throw to first on a potential inning-ending double play.
UTSA extended the lead to 7-1 with a three-run seventh and those insurance runs proved to be valuable, as Northwestern State plated a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth, but it wasn't enough.
Freshman Casey Selsor went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and stolen base to lead the Roadrunners at the plate, while Rockett and junior Ryan Rummel both added a pair of safeties.
Rodriguez surrendered five runs on nine hits and three walks in his 6.2 innings and was charged with the loss.
Trent Grondin went 3-for-5 to lead the Demons offense.
The series continues at 6 p.m. on Friday. Freshman right-hander Clay Schrader (2-1, 4.23 ERA) will oppose righty Jimmy Heard (5-1, 3.20).