UTSA to host UT Arlington this weekend at Bird Bath

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will look to carry the momentum from Wednesday night's 4-2 victory against Iowa into this weekend when it hosts UT Arlington in a three-game Southland Conference series at Roadrunner Field. Friday's opener is scheduled for 6 p.m., while the next two tilts are slated for 2 and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, and the three contests will mark the end of this week's home stand.

The Birds (8-7, 0-3 SLC) snapped a three-game losing streak with last night's victory at Wolff Stadium and they will look to get their initial conference triumph of the season. UTSA was swept by then-No. 26 Southeastern Louisiana last weekend in Hammond by scores of 10-9, 2-0 and 15-8.

Friday will mark the team's first "true" home game in nearly three weeks. The Roadrunners last played at the Bird Bath on Sunday, Feb. 28, against Indiana State (a 10-9 loss). UTSA is 5-1 at its on-campus facility this spring.

Sophomore left-hander Casey Selsor will get the nod on the mound for the Birds in the lid-lifter. The San Antonio native has been the squad's most-consistent hurler this season, posting a 2-1 record and 2.92 ERA in his four appearances (three starts). He has tossed 24.2 innings and struck out 14 while limiting the opposition to a .229 batting average. Selsor also has seen 11 games of action in the field, including 10 in the outfield (.231 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 7 BB).

The Mavericks are led by preseason All-American Michael Choice, a projected first-round Major League Baseball draft pick. Choice leads the team in nearly every offensive category, as he is hitting .387 with 20 runs scored, a Southland-leading half dozen home runs, 19 RBIs and four stolen bases. Choice also is reaching base at a .518 clip and his league-leading 47 total bases translate to a .758 slugging percentage. Meanwhile, Friday-night starter Jared Mitchell leads the circuit with 38 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA in 28 frames this spring. Mitchell, a righty, whiffed a conference-record 18 against Missouri State on Feb. 26.

The Roadrunners will hit the road following this weekend's set for a 6:30 contest at Baylor on Wednesday, March 24.