SAN ANTONIO — Tony Ramirez belted a grand slam to highlight an 11-run fifth inning that helped send UTSA to its second win in as many days, 15-3, against Saint Peter’s on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (2-0) had six players with multiple hits and five with multiple RBIs.
After not scoring a run in 10 innings of play on Friday night, the Peacocks (0-2) jumped on the board first with a one-out sacrifice fly to center field in the first inning off the bat of Jim Smith. Rob Moore, who tripled earlier in the frame, scored the opening tally.
The Roadrunners squared the game at one in bottom half of the frame when Mike Warren’s single to left plated Ramirez from third. RJ Perucki was cut down at the plate attempting to score the go-ahead run from second base for the final out of the inning.
However, it wouldn’t take long for UTSA to regain the lead with Grant Gibbs leading off the second inning with a double to center and scoring four batters later on a throwing error by Saint Peter’s shortstop Jon Kristofferson.
UTSA starting pitcher Nolan Trabanino took over the next three innings, holding the Peacocks scoreless and setting the stage for the offensive fireworks in the fifth to get the win. Trabanino allowed four hits and struck out six in five innings of work.
Scoring in the fifth for the Roadrunners started with John Welborn drawing a bases loaded walk and followed by an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Jesse Baker to score Gibbs. With the bases still loaded Ramirez stepped to the plate and drove one out to right center for the grand slam and give UTSA a 9-1 lead. Five batters later, Gibbs drew another bases loaded walk that was followed by a bases clearing double to center by Mitchell Matulia. Welborn completed the offense onslaught with an RBI triple to right center that plated Matulia.
Both teams each added two runs each over the game’s final four frames.
The Roadrunners will look to complete the season-opening sweep at 11 a.m. on Sunday.