HOUSTON, Texas – Nick Thornquist drove in two runs and Dylan Rock extended his hitting streak to 17 games, but it was not enough for UTSA, dropping a 4-2 decision at Houston Tuesday.
The Roadrunners allowed three runs over the first two innings and were unable to complete the comeback, falling to 7-8 on the season, while the Cougars improved to 8-7.
After the first two Houston hitters were retired to open the game, Jared Triolo worked a 3-2 walk and crossed in front of Joe Davis, who homered and gave his team the early 2-0 advantage.
With some help by the home team, UTSA responded immediately when Griffin Paxton walked and moved to third on a failed pick-off attempt that caromed off the wall and down the right field line. Thornquist recorded his first RBI of the night when he reached on the second miscue of the inning by the host, allowing Paxton to score from third.
In the bottom of the frame, the Cougars first three batters reached and threatened to bust the game open.
Hunter Mason limited the damage when he coaxed a grounder to Aldo Buendia, who stepped on second and fired to first. The runner on third nudged the lead back to two at 3-1 but the next hitter grounded out to end the threat.
UTSA was held hitless until Thornquist, who is in his first season with the program, blasted a towering shot over the wall in left to lead off the fifth. The junior catcher's second home run of the season trimmed the margin back to one at 3-2.
The home side added a solo tally in sixth and the Roadrunners were unable to close the gap.
Down to his last change to continue his hitting streak in the top of the ninth, Rock chopped a ball in the hole between the third baseman and shortstop, beating out an infield single.
With the tying run at the plate, Fred Villareal, Houston's eight pitcher of the night, retired the next three batters and earned the safe.
This was the fourth and final game of the road trip for UTSA and is the last game before the start of Conference USA play.
The Roadrunners return home for a three-game weekend set against C-USA foe MTSU. First pitch of the series opener is 6 p.m. Friday. The middle game against the Blue Raiders is Saturday at 2 p.m. and the finale is at 1 p.m. Sunday.
