SAN ANTONIO -- In the midst of a season-opening nine-game homestand, UTSA baseball will welcome Dartmouth for a four-game series at Roadrunner Field, starting on Friday at 6 p.m. The series will resume with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m., before concluding at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. All four games are set for a stream on CUSA.tv.
The Roadrunners are coming off their first four games of the year, including back-to-back wins entering the weekend series. UTSA posted a 10-7 midweek win on Tuesday vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, getting a strong start from Shane Daughety and a three-hit game from Dylan Rock, in the win, with Cameron Carver locking down his second save in as many NCAA appearances. UTSA also posted a 5-2 win on Sunday in a series finale vs. McNeese State, getting a strong six-inning start from Palmer Wenzel in his first career start, and a three-inning save from Carver.
UTSA (2-2) is riding a nine-game homestand – its longest of the year – before traveling to face Texas on Feb 27. Overall, 13 of UTSA's first 14 games are at Roadrunner Field as the Runners host Bradley in a three-game series and Texas State in midweek the following week.
UTSA senior righty Karan Patel (0-1, 1.80 ERA) will make the start on Friday in the series opener. Junior righty Slater Foust (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the ball on Saturday in the first of the twinbill. The Roadrunners have not determined a starter for the final two games of the series.
A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Patel will be making his 51st career appearance and 30th start on Saturday. A six-foot, 215-pounder, Patel worked five innings in the season lidlifter on Friday vs. McNeese State, allowing a first inning run – the only earned run of his four allowed – walking two and fanning seven. In his career, Patel is 7-12 with a 5.13 ERA in 163 innings, walking 107 and striking out 153.
Foust, a native of Georgetown, Texas, transferred from Grayson College. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder worked 4.2 innings in relief on Saturday vs. McNeese State, allowing just three hits and one walk, striking out four.
UTSA used senior lefty Bradley Griggs (0-1, 40.50 ERA) and senior righty Palmer Wenzel (1-0, 1.50 ERA) as starters last weekend. Griggs made his second career start in his 27th game, while Wenzel made his first career start in his 27th career appearance. Wenzel is 7-2 in his career with a 3.06 ERA in 50 innings, walking just 19, allowing 42 hits and striking out 46. Griggs is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA in his career in 30 innings, walking 26 and striking out 28.
The Roadrunners have been led at the plate through the first four games by sophomore rightfielder Dylan Rock, a 2018 C-USA All-Freshman selection, who has hit .429 with three RBI and a steal. Junior infielder Griffin Paxton has hit .385 with a double and four RBI, drawing five walks without a strikeout. Jonathan Tapia has going 3-of-9 to open the year, with catcher Nick Thornquist and outfielder Ryan Stacy each hitting homers on opening weekend.
In relief, Carver has worked in two games with two saves in four perfect innings, fanning three. UTSA has used Jake Harrison (0-0, 14.54 ERA) and Hunter Mason (0-0, 10.80 ERA) in relief twice, with Slater Foust (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Clayton Hill (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Ben Ostrominski (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Connor Heffron (0-0, 20.25 ERA) and Hunter Grimes (0-0, 36.00 ERA) each working a game in relief.
Dartmouth (17-22-1, 12-8-1 in 2018) will be opening its season in San Antonio with the four-game set. The Big Green traditionally open the season on the road and played 25 of their 40 games away from home in 2018. A year ago, the Big Green – coached by 30th year head coach Bob Whalen – posted a 12-8-1 mark for a third-place finish in the Ivy League. This opens a stretch of 19 straight games away from Hanover, N.H., with the Big Green opening their home slate on April 6 to start league play.
The Big Green return several key players from 2018, including seven position starters. Junior first baseman Michael Calamari led the team with five homers in 2018 and senior centerfielder Matt Feinstein had a .271 average in 39 games. On the mound, Dartmouth returns senior righty Cole O'Connor, who went 5-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 70 innings in 2018.
Schedule
Friday, Feb. 22 * vs. Dartmouth * 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 23 * vs. Dartmouth * 1 p.m. [doubleheader]
Sunday, Feb. 24 * vs. Dartmouth * 11:30 a.m.
Records
UTSA: 2-2, 0-0 C-USA
Dartmouth: 0-0, 0-0 (17-22-1, 12-8-1 Ivy League in 2018)
Projected Pitching Matchups
Friday vs. Dartmouth
Sr., RHP Karan Patel (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. TBD
Saturday vs. Dartmouth
Jr., RHP Slater Foust (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. TBD
Saturday vs. Dartmouth
TBD vs. TBD
Sunday vs. Dartmouth
TBD vs. TBD
- UTSA -
