SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will look to secure a spot at the 2017 The First, A National Banking Association, Conference USA Tournament when it travels to North Carolina for a three-game series at Charlotte beginning at 5 p.m. (CT) on Friday.
The Roadrunners (26-21, 13-11 C-USA) are tied for fifth in the C-USA standings with Louisiana Tech and they head into the weekend riding a four-game winning streak.
UTSA is coming off Wednesday's 9-4 win at Incarnate Word. All starters registered at least one hit with four Roadrunners notching three.
The Roadrunners offense checks in at No. 3 in C-USA with a .304 batting average while ranking in the top five in 11 offensive categories.
Ben Brookover remains atop the season stat sheet with his team-leading .367 average and .438 on base percentage. Meanwhile, Kevin Markham leads the squad in hits (68), doubles (18), triples (7) and total bases (112).
On the hill, UTSA will send out its usual rotation of right-hander Tyler Giovanoni (3.92 ERA), left-hander Nolan Trabanino (4.09 ERA) and TBA in the final game of the series.
Charlotte (27-20, 14-10 C-USA) hit a bump in the road last weekend after being swept by Rice at home.
The 49ers offense is batting at a .299 clip, topping the circuit in triples (14) and fielding percentage (.981). Charlotte has five players hitting .300 or better and is led by T.J. Nichting's .397 batting average (16th NCAA). Nichting boasts a team-best 79 hits (4th NCAA) with 55 runs scores, 14 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 42 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and a .583 slugging percentage.
On the mound, starting pitcher Colton Laws leads the pitching staff with a 5-1 record and 1.94 ERA. In his 12 appearances, he has logged 74.1 innings and struck out 72 batters.
