SAN MARCOS – UTSA rallied for a come-from-behind 5-3 victory to claim the season series against I-35 rival Texas State on Tuesday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
The Roadrunners (15-11), who have won eight of their last nine games, scored two runs in the fourth inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit and never looked back. UTSA added two more in the eighth and one in the ninth before holding on in the bottom-half of the final frame for the two-run triumph.
Kyrell Miller (2-0) received the win, as the right-hander gave up one unearned run in three innings of action. Miller, who started with a pitch count in the non-conference tilt, gave up two hits and struck out a batter.
He then turned it over to the bullpen in the fourth.
Bradley Griggs fired three scoreless stanzas, allowing only one hit and striking out a pair. Derek Craft blew through the seventh and eighth innings but gave up a pair of unearned runs in the ninth, which allowed Andre Shewcraft to come in and record the final out for his second save of the campaign.
The Bobcats (16-12-1) took the early lead after Jonathan Ortega reached on a single, moved to third on an errant pickoff attempt at first and then scored on Luke Sherley's sacrifice fly.
Three panels later, Arias started the rally with a leadoff walk. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, the San Antonio native stole third base. Ben Brookover then drove him in on a sharp single to left-center field. Dylan Rock then launched his fourth home run of the spring, clearing the wall in left field to give the Birds a 2-1 advantage.
UTSA added two more in the eighth.
The first came after the Roadrunners loaded the bases and Trent Bowles registered a sacrifice fly to center that was just deep enough for Ryan Stacy to slide across the plate safely. Chris Estrada, who advanced to third base on the throw during the sacrifice fly, was almost picked off at third base as Arias was stealing second. However, the throw from the catcher forced Jaylen Hubbard to the ground allowing Estrada to slide in for a 4-1 lead.
After loading the bases in the final frame, Chase Keng drew a walk, which forced Tony Beam across the plate.
Texas State threatened in the bottom of the inning, as an error allowed one run to score and another unearned tally came in on Dylan Paul's double. Shewcraft then came out of the bullpen and induced a grounder that Arias handled and flipped to Brookover for the final out.
Arias finished 1 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases. Rock also was 1 for 4 with the solo homer, while Beam had two singles.
UTSA will return to San Antonio to open a five-game home stand on Friday night against No. 22 Louisiana Tech at Roadrunner Field.
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