SAN ANTONIO — UTSA hit five home runs, including two each from junior Matthew James and sophomore Ryan Dalton, and pounded out 20 hits to defeat Northwestern State, 26-18, on Saturday at Roadrunner Field. It marked the second-highest scoring output by UTSA (16-21, 8-9 SLC) in the program's 20-year history.
Dalton was 3-for-5 with a career-high eight RBIs, while James went 3-for-4 with a career-best six RBIs. Dalton launched a grand slam and two-run shot and James hit a pair of three-run bombs. Sophomore Daniel Rockett was 4-for-6, including a leadoff homer in the second.
The Roadrunners jumped out to an 8-0 advantage, which was aided by a six-run third.
Northwestern State (12-24, 3-14 SLC) answered with a five-spot in the fourth, but UTSA answered with eight in the bottom of the frame to increase the lead to 16-5.
The Demons scored a combined nine runs in the fifth and sixth to pull within two, but the Roadrunners posted another big inning in the seventh when it scored six times.
A four-run eighth inning helped pull Northwestern State back within four, but UTSA returned the favor once again with four of their own in the bottom of the panel to cap the scoring.
The Demons collected 19 hits on the afternoon including a 4-for-5 day from Will Watson. Colin Bear was 3-for-6 with seven RBIs, while Omar Garcia tallied a pair of hits and drove in six.
Freshman Blake Denman (1-2) picked up the win after tossing the final two innings. He allowed two unearned runs on a pair of hits.
Northwestern State starter Jacob Williford (1-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs on three hits and three walks in two-plus innings.
The series concludes at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
