SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will return home to host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Roadrunners (14-24) meet the Islanders for the second time this season after winning the first game down in Corpus Christi, 6-3, in a weather-shortened outing back on March 8. UTSA put up a five-spot in the second inning that helped propel it to the victory.
The Birds are led at the plate by Bryan Arias, who sports a .328 batting average. The local product from Marshall High School collected seven hits over the weekend at Western kentucky, including a season-best of four in the second game of the series. Arias is third on the team in hits (44) and is slugging .403 with a .395 on base percentage.
J.T. Gilmore adds a .320 bat to the lineup and he started all three games last weekend. Gilmore had at least one hit in each of the three contests and extended his hitting streak to five games.
On the hill, Chance Kirby leads the Roadrunners pitching staff with a 4.33 ERA in 12 outings. He is second on staff with 36 strikeouts and has issued 16 walks in 54 innings pitched this season.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (13-26) makes the short trek north to the Alamo City following a home series loss to New Orleans. The Islanders have won just two of their last 10 games with wins against Abilene Christian and Texas-Rio Grande Valley during the stretch. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is just 6-17 away from home.
Leading the way for the Islanders is Scott Balfantz. The catcher is batting at a .360 clip in 24 games played. Zacarias Hardy and Casey Thomas follow with .333 and .319 averages, respectively. Hardy leads the team in hits (55), doubles (8), RBIs (28) and is second with four stolen bases.
Starting for the Islanders on Tuesday will be right-hander Garrett Harris. The senior boasts a 4.09 ERA in 33 innings of action and is 2-1 on the season with one save. He is third on staff with 35 strikeouts.
