SAN ANTONIO — Charlotte sent UTSA to its fourth consecutive loss with a 5-2 victory in Friday's opener of a three-game series at Roadrunner Field.
Corey Roberts stifled the UTSA offense through eight-plus innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts.
Roberts was matched pitch-for-pitch through the first four frames by Roadrunners’ starter Brock Hartson. The sophomore right-hander extended his consecutive innings streak without giving up an earned run to 33 before a double by T.J. Nichting was followed by a two-run homer to left by Corbin Shive to give the 49ers (13-25-1, 5-13 C-USA) a 2-0 edge.
Nichting finished the contest 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored.
Charlotte continued to pad its lead in the sixth with three more runs on a RBI single by Des Roberts and a two-run single to left by Zach Jarrett.
The Roadrunners (26-16, 11-8 C-USA) finally got to Roberts in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to center by RJ Perucki, which scored John Welborn.
Jesse Baker then led off the ninth with his team-leading sixth home run of the season before the 49ers called on closer Hunter May to finish off the three-run victory.
Mike Warren led the UTSA offense with a 3-for-4 night at the plate.
The series will continue at 2 p.m. on Saturday.