DALLAS — Dallas Baptist scored five runs in the first two innings and the Patriots made it stand in a 5-2 victory against UTSA on Saturday afternoon at Horner Ballpark.
DBU (22-21, 9-8 WAC) registered six hits and scored all five of its runs against Roadrunners' starting pitcher Nolan Trabanino, who lasted just 1.2 stanzas.
The left-handed Trabanino (3-3) surrendered three marks in the first and two more in the second before being replaced by Wesley Cox, who blanked the Patriots over the next 6.1 frames while striking out four.
However, UTSA (23-19, 7-9 WAC) managed only seven singles against a pair of Dallas Baptist hurlers.
Cy Sneed (3-3) started and gave up a pair of runs on five hits in his six innings of work. He walked three and struck out two.
Meanwhile, Joseph Shaw picked up his first save of the season with three frames of two-hit relief.
DBU had 11 hits on the day and were led by Michael Miller, who was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Austin Listi chipped in with a two-run triple in the opening inning.
The Roadrunners scored their only runs in the sixth.
After the first three hitters of the inning reached base, Mike Warren stroked a run-scoring single to center field. Two batters later, Jesse Baker hit a sacrifice fly to center, which send Tony Ramirez across the plate.
UTSA had other chances to pull closer, but it stranded nine base runners in the contest, including ones in scoring position in three separate innings.
Sunday's rubber game will be played at 1 p.m. The Roadrunners will turn to southpaw Michael Kraft (2-5, 4.70 ERA), while the Patriots will counter with righty Cody Beam (3-0, 4.14 ERA).