SAN ANTONIO — UTSA split Sunday’s doubleheader against Western Kentucky dropping an 8-2 decision in Game 1 and then notching a 12-0 shutout of the Hilltoppers in the series finale.
In Game 1, and trailing 4-0, UTSA (13-10, 4-2 C-USA) avoided its first shutout of the season in the bottom fifth, scoring its only runs of the game.
Geonte Jackson led off the frame with a single through the right side and came home for the first score on C.J. Pickering’s RBI single. Trent Bowles cut WKU’s lead in half as he scored on a Kevin Markham sac fly, 4-2.
Western Kentucky (12-10, 4-2 C-USA) scored in all but one inning. The Hilltoppers added three in the sixth and one in the seventh.
Southpaw Nolan Trabanino worked 4.0 innings and was charged with the loss. The junior allowed four runs on five hits, struck out two and walked a season-high two batters.
Josh Bartley picked up his fourth win of the year as he went 5.1 innings. Bartley scattered seven hits, allowed two runs and struck out a career-best six batters.
The top of the Roadrunners’ order contributed half the team’s hits with Tyler Straub tallying two hits.
Anderson Miller led the Hilltoppers in Game 1 with a 2-for-3 performance with two runs, a home run and a career-matching three RBIs.
In Game 2, the bats came alive for the Roadrunners as they outhit the opponent 13-5.
UTSA scored multiple runs in all but two innings. The Roadrunners led off with a three-run first inning and then scored two in the third, four in the fourth, and three in the fifth.
Jesse Baker contributed to UTSA’s three-run fifth as he blasted his fourth homer of the year. Baker has now hit four home runs in the last six games.
Aaron Burns went the distance for the UTSA as he pitched his first complete game of the season. The right-hander gave up five runs and struck out four batters, while one walking one.
Austin King took the loss for WKU as he tossed 2.2 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits. King also struck out two and walked one.
Baker led the team with his fourth multiple-hit game as went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, and career-matching three runs and three RBIs.
UTSA will continue its nine-game home stand on Tuesday, March 24, when it welcomes No. 2 Texas A&M (24-1) to Wolff Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.