SAN ANTONIO — Marshall jumped out to a 4-0 lead and went on to score four late runs to defeat UTSA by a score of 8-3 on Friday night at Roadrunner Field.
Aaron Burns went eight innings and allowed four runs on eight hits to get tagged with the loss. However, Karan Patel and Ben Brookover combined for the remaining four runs in the ninth frame.
Meanwhile, Thundering Herd starter Chase Boster went seven innings and allowed one run on five hits for his second win of the season. Burris Warner pitched two innings in relief and earned his league-leading eighth save of the season.
The action came early for Marshall (16-12, 6-4 C-USA), as the Thundering Herd plated a pair of runs in both the second and third innings.
UTSA (11-18, 2-8 C-USA) went hitless through three innings before C.J. Pickering led off the fourth with a double. Back-to-back ground outs moved Pickering to third and across home for the first score of the game.
In the eighth, the Roadrunners cut the lead in half after Tyler Straub drew a bases-loaded walk to score Matt Hilston.
In the following inning, Marshall broke out with four runs.
The Thundering Herd scored early in the frame on a single and then loaded the bases to score the next run on a sacrifice fly. The final two runs for Marshall came on another base hit.
The Roadrunners made one final attempt in the ninth inning.
Pickering flew brought home a run with a sac fly and that scored Ryan Stacy from third. On the next at bat, Mason George hit into a double play to end the game.
Jason Serchay led all hitters with two hits, while Straub walked twice and registered a pair of RBIs.
Tommy Lane, Tyler Ratliff and Sam Finfer each had two hits for the Marshall.
The weekend series continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
