| Sophomore Brett Aguilar's two-out double brought home senior Michael Rockett with the game-winning run on Sunday. |
SAN ANTONIO ? Sophomore Brett Aguilar's two-out double to right center brought home senior All-American Michael Rockett with the game-winning run in the 10th inning and UTSA won the rubber game of this weekend's three-game Southland Conference series with Lamar, 7-6, on Sunday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
After the Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the ninth to send the contest to extra frames, Brian Needham recorded two quick outs to start the bottom of the 10th, but Rockett singled up the middle to begin the game-winning rally. Aguilar then lined the first pitch he saw to the gap in right center to give the Birds (21-18, 11-10 SLC) their third win of the week and third walk-off triumph of the season.
That made a winner of junior Zach Calhoon (4-3), who allowed two runs on a pair of hits and two walks in his two innings of work.
Meanwhile, Needham (2-3) was involved in the decision for the second day in a row, this time on the losing end. Saturday's game one victor surrendered the game-winning run on three hits and struck out a pair in his two innings of work.
Lamar (24-17, 11-10 SLC) jumped out to an early 2-1 lead a third of the way through and added single tallies in the sixth and seventh to take what looked to be a commanding three-run advantage.
However, the Roadrunners scored a pair of unearned runs in their half of the seventh to draw within one and three more one inning later on junior Lance Brown's bases-clearing triple to right off Needham with two down.
On came Calhoon to close things out, but the preseason All-American was unable to work around consecutive walks to start the ninth and Lamar tied the game at six.
Sophomore Tyler Carpenter went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a stolen base to lead UTSA at the plate. Brown added a pair of hits and three RBIs and Rockett was 2-for-4 with a pair of intentional walks, three runs scores and two stolen bases.
Both starting pitchers gave their teams solid efforts on the mound.
UTSA southpaw Andy Benedict gave up four runs on seven hits in his six-plus frames and struck out four.
Meanwhile, Lamar righty Ricky Testa allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits and four walks in 6.2 panels.
Cameron Campbell and Jeremiah Sammy both had three hits to lead the Cardinals on offense.
UTSA embarks on a seven-game road trip on Tuesday when it heads to the Rio Grande Valley to face Texas-Pan American (9-32) in a 3 p.m. contest at Edinburg Stadium. The Roadrunners defeated the Broncs, 17-10, a month ago at the Bird Bath and have won 35 of the last 43 meetings played between the two schools dating back to Feb. 20, 2000, including six in a row.