SAN ANTONIO – UTSA hit four home runs, including a first-inning grand slam by Tony Beam, en route to a 24-3, run-rule victory over visiting Prairie View A&M on Wednesday night at Roadrunner Field. The 24 runs was the most by a UTSA team since defeating Northwestern State 26-18 on April 16, 2011.
The Roadrunners (17-14) scored six runs in the opening inning, capped by Beam's bases-loaded dinger. UTSA then added three in the second and scored 11 times in the third. The Birds also added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and two more in the sixth to cap the scoring.
Ben Brookover had a career night at the plate, as the senior first baseman was 4 for 5 with six RBIs. The San Antonio native was a triple away from the cycle and hit his fifth home run of the season.
Trent Bowles also had four hits, which tied a career best, and he drove in three runs.
Dylan Rock hit his fifth round-tripper of the campaign, while Beam's bomb was his fourth. Chase Keng belted a two-run homer, which marked his second of the year.
The Roadrunners collected a season-high 19 hits, while limiting the Panthers (8-23) to just five.
In his first career start, Zach Zeller received a no-decision after working three innings. The right-hander gave up two runs on two hits, walked a pair and struck out five.
Jordan Rodriguez (1-1) received the win, as the southpaw allowed one run on three hits and fanned three in two frames out of the bullpen.
Palmer Wenzel and Sean Stacy both hurled scoreless stanzas. Stacy, who last appeared on the mound on May 13, 2016, struck out the side in the seventh to close out the non-conference contest.
UTSA will hit the road this weekend and open a three-game Conference USA series against league-leading Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. The set is slated to open at 5:30 p.m. Friday at FAU Baseball Stadium.
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