LUBBOCK — UTSA was unable to capitalize on bases loaded in the top of the ninth and No. 6 Texas Tech handed the Roadrunners an 8-4 loss in Sunday's rubber match at Dan Law Field.
UTSA (8-7) juiced up the bases with two outs, much like they did the day before, but it was unable to capitalize after Jesse Baker was caught looking by closer Caleb Kilian to end the contest.
The Roadrunners outhit the home team, 10-9, as both teams went without a miscue. All but two starters in the Roadrunners lineup tallied at least one hit with Baker, Chris Estrada and Mason George chalking up a pair of hits.
Tech starter Ryan Shetter earned the win for the Red Raiders after he going 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts and allowing three runs on seven hits.
Meanwhile, Chance Kirby, who pitched two-third innings in relief, was charged with the loss, as he allowed three runs on one hit and two walks.
Free bases plagued the Roadrunners pitching staff, as it combined for 10 walks while only fanning two.
UTSA scored early with a lone run in the opening frame on a Trent Bowles sacrifice fly that scored Kevin Markham.
Texas Tech's (14-3) two runs in the first inning were attributed to four walks, but the lead only lasted until the top of the second.
George led off the inning with a base knock and was driven in on C.J. Pickering's two-run shot over the left field wall, his fourth homer of the season, to give UTSA a 3-2 lead.
The Red Raiders put up a four-spot in the bottom of the third after a pair of doubles and walks scored the first two runs of the stanza. With runners on second and third, a ground out scored the following run and the frame was capped off with a RBI single that gave Tech a 6-3 lead.
Insurance runs in the seventh cushioned the Red Raiders' lead to 8-3, but a first pitch home run by Baker capped off the scoring for UTSA.
The Roadrunners will continue their eight-game road swing next weekend with a Conference USA-opening, three-game series at Marshall that will begin on Friday, March 17.
