BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Karan Patel and Derek Craft combined on a shutout, as UTSA posted a 5-0 victory over Western Kentucky in the series opener on Thursday at Nick Denes Field.
Patel (2-1) gave up only three hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings. Craft struck out two to finish off the final two frames and secure the Roadrunners' six consecutive victory.
UTSA (13-10, 4-2 C-USA) backed up the pitching performances with a pair of home runs from Trent Bowles and Ben Brookover.
Bowles, who is the reigning C-USA Hitter of the Week, belted a solo shot in the fourth inning to put the Roadrunners in front.
Four panels later, the Birds loaded the bases in front of Brookover with three consecutive singles. Following a pitching change by the Hilltoppers (13-13, 3-4 C-USA), the senior first baseman hit a grand slam to extend UTSA's advantage to 5-0.
The Roadrunners finished with eight hits. Bowles, Brookover and Tony Beam tallied a pair of knocks apiece.
Ryan Thurston (2-4) took the loss for WKU after giving up four runs on seven hits over 7.1 innings.
Game two of the series will be played at 5 p.m. (CT) Friday.
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