IRVINE, Calif. — UTSA won the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader at UC Irvine, 12-2, but the Anteaters clinched this weekend's series victory with an 8-3 victory in the nightcap.
The Roadrunners (7-4) avenged Friday's series-opening loss in the opener after outhitting UC Irvine, 14-6. Every UTSA player on offense recorded at least one hit with Skyler Valentine and Geonte Jackson each registering three to go along with a pair of RBIs and one run scored. Jackson had two doubles, while Valentine had one.
The Roadrunners opened the contest with a four-run first inning that saw Matt Hilston, Valentine, Jackson and Jason Serchay all cross home plate. Serchay hit the first of two Roadrunner homers in the game. Trent Bowles had a solo blast in the fourth for the only run of the frame.
UTSA tacked on another two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth before UC Irvine (8-4) managed to score its only runs of the game in the home half of the sixth.
Lone runs in the seventh and ninth innings capped the scoring for UTSA.
Karan Patel tossed six innings to earn the win. The right-hander scattered five hits, allowed two runs and struck out four.
UC Irvine starter Shaun Vetrovec was charged with the loss in his four innings of work. He allowed five runs on six hits and issued one walk.
In the rubber match, UTSA was held scoreless for the first five innings before plating runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings.
Bowles concluded his first weekend back in the lineup with a 3-for-4 performance. Meanwhile, Mason George picked up his second multiple hit game going 2-for-4 with a double.
UTSA found themselves in trouble early giving up two runs in the second and another three in the fifth. The Anteaters scored their final three in the seventh inning.
Aaron Burns was the pitcher of the record, as he went five and allowed five runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Anteaters starter Cameron Bishop earned the win in six innings of action. Bishop struck out four, walked three and gave up two runs on three hits.
UTSA will conclude its five-game road swing on Tuesday, March 8, at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.