SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA baseball split a doubleheader with FIU to open a Conference USA series on Friday at Roadrunner Field. The Roadrunners earned a 12-4 victory in the opener, but the Panthers picked up a 2-1 win in the nightcap to even the set.
In the opening game of the day, Ben Brookover and Ryan Stacy both hit three-run homers to lead UTSA (20-17, 8-8 C-USA) to its third consecutive win.
FIU held a 3-1 lead in the fifth, but Brookover cleared the bases with his team-leading sixth round-tripper of the campaign.
SEE. YOU. LATER.
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) April 20, 2018
Ben Brookover unloads on a pitch for a three-run homer to give UTSA a 4-3 lead. #BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/Ogb9tlRUdR
After scoring a pair in the sixth inning, the Roadrunners plated six runs in the eighth, including Stacy's first career dinger – an opposite-field shot, which put the hosts ahead by eight.
SEE. YOU. LATER.
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) April 20, 2018
Ryan Stacy goes to the opposite field for his first career home run, a three-run ??. UTSA leads FIU 12-4.#BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/zTROMN5cbj
Kyrell Miller (3-1) earned the win in relief. The right-hander came on in the fourth inning and allowed one run on three hits while striking out a season-high seven to clinch the victory. After giving up an infield single to the first batter he faced, Miller struck out the next five batters.
Derek Craft tossed two scoreless panels to pick up his second save of the year.
The Panthers received seven strong innings from Andres Nunez in the nightcap to even the series. The right-hander allowed only an unearned run while scattering five hits and striking out nine to receive the win.
FIU scored in the opening inning as Derek Cartaya drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
UTSA's only run in the game came after the Panthers committed back-to-back errors in the seventh inning which allowed Chris Estrada to touch home.
However, in the first pitch of the eighth inning, Logan Allen turned on a fastball from Craft and cleared the wall in left field to break the tie.
Each team will have the day off on Saturday, and the series finale will be played at 12 p.m. Sunday.