SAN ANTONIO — UTSA headed into extra innings for the second time this year and escaped with a 3-2 victory against UC Irvine on Friday evening at Roadrunner Field.
After the Anteaters (3-9) took the lead in the top of the 10th, the Roadrunners (8-5) loaded the bases with two outs. That brought up Geonte Jackson, who blasted a double to left center to drive in Tyler Straub and Jesse Baker with the game-winning runs.
Jeremy Filipek (1-0) earned the win following an inning of action. The right-hander allowed a hit and a walk and struck out one.
Sean Sparling (0-1) was charged with his first loss of the year after giving up the go-ahead runs. He struck out two and walked one.
Baker led UTSA at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance with two doubles, while Jackson finished 2-for-4.
The contest was a pitcher’s duel throughout.
Brock Hartson logged seven innings in his fourth start of the year (all no decisions) and allowed one run on five hits. He fanned a season-best seven but walked four.
Manwhile, Elliot Surrey went 8.2 innings, surrendering just one run on five hits to go along with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.
After two scoreless innings, the visiting Anteaters scored a run in the top third, but the advantage was short-lived, as UTSA scored a run of its own in the fifth.
The three-game series will wrap up with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.