SAN ANTONIO — A four-run fifth inning for Charlotte was the difference and the 49ers won the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday at UTSA, 4-2.
Brett Lang and Logan Scherer each had multi-RBI days to lead Charlotte (14-26-1, 6-14 C-USA) to its first-ever Conference USA road series victory.
The Roadrunners (27-17, 12-9 C-USA) were the first to strike in the bottom of the fourth.
Following back-to-back singles to open the frame by Horacio Correa III and RJ Perucki, Jesse Baker singled through the left side of the infield to plate Perucki for a 1-0 edge.
The 49ers answered with the four-run outburst in the next half inning.
Lang knocked in a pair on a single to right center and Scherer followed two batters later with an opposite field two-run home run to right field. It was Scherer’s third long ball of the season.
UTSA threatened to narrow the deficit in the bottom of the sixth by loading the bases with only one out, but relief pitcher Micah Wells regrouped to strike out Mitchell Matulia before getting John Bormann to ground into a fielder’s choice to short.
However, the Roadrunners were able to get a run back in the bottom of the eighth when Matulia ripped a single into right to plate Mike Warren from second.
In the ninth, the Birds got a walk from John Welborn and a single from Correa III to bring the game-winning run to the plate, but Charlotte closer Hunter May shut the door with a strikeout and a fly out to center to clinch the series victory.
Correa III led three UTSA hitters that had multi-hit games by going 3-for-5, while Baker and Matulia each had two hits apiece. Matt Sims threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing a hit and striking out two.
UTSA will begin a two-game midweek home series with Lamar (25-18) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.