SAN ANTONIO — Aaron Burns pitched his second complete game of the season behind an explosive offense and UTSA defeated No. 25 Florida Atlantic, 14-3, on Saturday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (15-12, 5-3 C-USA) had their biggest scoring inning of the season with seven runs in the bottom sixth. UTSA batted around in the frame for the second time in as many days and produced seven of the team’s 14 hits.
Matt Hilston scored the first runs of the sixth on a two-run home run that broke the games 3-3 tie. Hilston’s homer was the first allowed by Owls starter Drew Jackson in 52 innings of action.
Jackson was charged with the loss as he worked five innings. The right-hander allowed seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and only recorded one strikeout and one walk.
The Roadrunners had another big inning in the eighth with four runs. Back-to-back hit by pitches put Kevin Markham and Jesse Baker on base. Tyler Straub then went yard with a three-run blast to put the Birds up 13-3. Hilston scored the final run of the inning and game on a two-out double.
Burns allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out three batters en route to his second win of the campaign.
All but one Roadrunner registered at least one hit. Straub finished the day 2-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs, a double, home run and stolen base.
The series finale will take place at noon on Sunday.