SAN ANTONIO – Karan Patel hurled six scoreless innings, while UTSA posted runs in four of those six on its way to a 5-1 win over Charlotte in the Conference USA series finale on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (31-22, 16-13 C-USA) not only clinched the series, but also wrapped up the No. 5 seed in next week's C-USA Championship, which will be played at MGM Park in Biloxi, Miss. UTSA will meet the fourth-seeded 49ers (31-22, 17-13 C-USA) at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23 in the opening round.
Patel (3-3) allowed only three hits and retired 11 straight in his first start since May 5. The right-hander struck out four and issued only one walk over 69 pitches (43 strikes).
KP is pumped. ?? pic.twitter.com/W37jF9tFwe
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) May 19, 2018
The Roadrunners collected 13 hits to back up Patel's fifth quality start of the season.
Chris Estrada scored the first run of the game in the second inning. The senior infielder hit a one-out double and then came around after Garett Moon dumped a single into center field.
B2 | UTSA takes the lead, as Garrett Moon drives in Chris Estrada, who doubled.#BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/XLciCs6Ri1
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) May 19, 2018
Ryan Stacy highlighted both ends of the third inning. The junior outfielder ended the top of the frame with a diving catch in foul territory down the left-field line. He then laced a double in the bottom of the panel, which scored Bryan Arias from first base.
GO. GET. IT.
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) May 19, 2018
Ryan Stacy makes a diving catch in foul territory to end the top of the third. WOW! ??#BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/gw5lEsJr8y
UTSA added a pair of tallies in the fourth, including one on Aldo Buendia's single to right field.
B4 | Aldo Buendia picks up an RBI single, and UTSA leads 3-0.#BirdsUp?? pic.twitter.com/jfUXcNAOui
— UTSA Baseball ?? (@UTSABSB) May 19, 2018
The Roadrunners gave Patel a 5-0 lead in the sixth after a fielding error put Moon in scoring position and Joshua Lamb hit a run-scoring single to center field.
Charlotte picked up its lone run of the game after UTSA's bullpen was called into action for the seventh inning.
The 49ers threatened again in the ninth, as a single, a wild pitch and a walk put runners on the corners. Roadrunner skipper Jason Marshall brought in Palmer Wenzel, who needed only four pitches to strike out Tate Pennington to end the game and secure his first save of the year.
UTSA will prepare for its second consecutive appearance in the C-USA Championship. The Roadrunners knocked off top-seeded Southern Miss in last year's opening round, but lost the next two to end their season. The entire C-USA Championship bracket is expected to be announced on Saturday night. For more information about the tournament, click here.
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