CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Skyler Valentine homered twice and Chance Kirby held Charlotte to three runs en route to a 15-3 victory Friday night at Hayes Stadium.
Valentine homered in back-to-back innings in the third and fourth. The freshman led off the third with a solo shot to left and then returned in the following frame and hit a three-run jack. The freshman had a 2-for-5 night with two home runs, a season-best five RBIs and three runs.
After scoring in five straight innings and leading the home team 9-3, UTSA (31-23, 16-13 C-USA) put up a six-spot in the ninth inning for its 15-3 win. The Roadrunners batted around and scored its six runs on three hits, two walks, a hit by pitch, two sac flies and two errors.
Kevin Markham also homered in the game as he was the only Roadrunners run in the sixth.
Charlotte (19-28, 11-18 C-USA) also scored its runs in consecutive frames but was held scoreless in the last four.
Kirby earned his fifth win of the season in his eight innings of work. The right-hander scattered 11 hits and allowed three runs and struck out three.
Meanwhile, the 49ers starter J.D. Prochaska was tagged with the loss in three innings of action. He allowed five runs on seven hits, walked one and fanned two.
Both teams combined for 27 hits with UTSA outhitting Charlotte, 15-12. Every starter in the lineup notched at least one hit. Markham led the club with a 3-for-5 performance with two runs, two RBIs and a home run, while Jesse Baker, Trent Bowles, Matt Hilston and Valentine each added two hits.
Saturday’s rubber game is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT).