HOUSTON — Playing in the fifth doubleheader of the season, UTSA dropped Saturday’s twinbill at No. 16 Rice. The Roadrunners suffered a 9-8 loss in the opener and then dropped an 8-2 decision in the nightcap at Reckling Park.
In the opening game of the series, UTSA (22-17, 9-8 C-USA) made up some late ground after trailing 5-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Roadrunners scored four runs to make it a one-run game heading into the home half of the frame, 5-4. Logan Kinder got the ball rolling for UTSA as he laced a one-out single up the middle. Kinder then made his way to third on Kevin Markham’s single and crossed home on a throwing error by the Owls’ shortstop.
Markham scored on the following play, while Jesse Baker homered for the 11th time this season. C.J. Pickering scored the final run of the inning on Geonte Jackson’s double.
Rice (26-15, 14-6 C-USA) answered back with a combined four runs in the following three innings to cap the Owls’ offense, despite four more runs by the Roadrunners.
In the ninth, UTSA rallied after a fielding error kept the inning alive. Jackson singled and John Bormann walked with two outs and then moved up one base on a passed ball. A fielding error by the Owls third baseman allowed for the two to score. The Roadrunners’ rally fell short after J.T. Gilmore singled to put runners on first and second. A strikeout ended the first game of the day.
Through five innings of action, Brock Hartson was charged with the loss as he allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits while issuing two walks and striking out one.
Meanwhile, Matt Ditman pitched four innings in relief to earn the win. The junior allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
UTSA outhit the home team, 13-11, as Jackson and Bowles each had three hits to lead the Roadrunners offense. Seven of the starting nine notched at least one hit in the opener.
In the nightcap, both teams went run-for-run after UTSA scored first in the top of the second. Jackson scored his second run of the day to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead but was taken back in the next inning with a pair of Owls runs.
Trent Bowles blasted a solo home run in the fourth to even the score at two runs apiece. In the following frame, Rice plated one run for a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Owls opened up the game by batting around and scoring five times.
Both team went quietly to end the game with Rice outhitting the Roadrunners, 14-5.
Aaron Burns was tagged with the loss in 5.1 innings of action. The junior allowed five runs on 10 hits.
Rice starter Jordan Stephens was the pitcher of record in five innings of work. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven batters and issued two walks.
The series will conclude at 1 p.m. on Sunday.