SAN ANTONIO — Jesse Baker blasted a grand slam in the second to even the score at five, but Prairie View A&M squeaked out a run in the ninth to defeat the Roadrunners by a score of 6-5 on Wednesday night at Roadrunner Field.
Baker's grand slam was his only hit of the night, as he went 1-for-3 with four RBIs, a run scored and a home run. Trent Bowles and Ben Brookover both led UTSA (14-14) with a pair of hits and a run scored.
The Roadrunners trailed early after Prairie View A&M (13-23) combined for five runs in the first two innings, but UTSA responded in a big way in the bottom of the second with Baker's grand slam.
Mason George led off the second inning and grounded out to short but back-to-back hits followed by a walk loaded the bases for UTSA. Brookover singled to left, advancing everyone a base, and plated Bowles for the first run of the stanza. On a 2-1 pitch, Baker swung and went yard toward left to knot the score at five.
Both teams went quietly through the next six innings, as Prairie View starter Charles Philpott and Roadrunners reliever Derek Craft worked quickly through the order.
Craft matched a career best with four strikeouts while walking two and allowing one run on two hits in his seven frames of action.
Meanwhile, Philpott was two outs away from a complete game but he earned the win. Nic Campos got Kevin Markham to ground into a game-ending double play and he picked up his second save of the spring.
Kevin Macias led off the ninth with a base hit and he made his way to second on a sacrifice bunt. Prairie View A&M went with a pinch hitter on the following at-bat and Avery Williams brought home Macias with a triple to give the Panthers a 6-5 lead that held.
UTSA will return to Conference USA action on Friday, April 7, when the Roadrunners host WKU (10-20, 3-6) in a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
