SAN ANTONIO – Middle Tennessee plated two runs in the eighth inning of a seven-inning game to post a 5-3 win in the doubleheader opener on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
UTSA (12-12, 4-5 Conference USA) took a two-run lead in the second inning before the Blue Raiders evened it in the top of the third, plating two runs without a hit. Middle Tennessee then took the lead in the sixth inning, again without a hit. The Roadrunners rallied to tie the game, down to its last strike, as Kyle Bergeron delivered a game-tying single. The Blue Raiders took the lead in the eighth inning with a pair of runs on three hits and a walk.
The Roadrunners collected seven hits in the game that saw offenses stifled by a powerful wind blowing in. UTSA got hits from Bergeron Dylan Rock and Jonathan Tapia, with Ian Bailey and Joshua Lamb each ripping a double. Bailey added a single in the seventh. Nick Thornquist went 2-for-4.
UTSA starter Kobe Jaramillo worked five-plus innings, allowing two hits and three runs – one earned – walking three and striking out three. After a leadoff walk and a passed ball put the go-ahead runner into scoring position, UTSA turned to senior Hunter Mason for his ninth relief outing, with the run scoring on a wild pitch. Mason worked two innings in relief, striking out one.
After UTSA tied the game, Jacob Jimenez (0-1) was called on for his season debut, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, with Shane Anderson also working in the eighth.
Middle Tennessee (16-12-1, 5-4-1 C-USA) starter Peyton Wigginton worked seven strong innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out four. David Zoz (4-0) came on after the tying run scored in the seventh and earned the win with the final 1.2 innings.
The series resumes 45 minutes following the opener of the doubleheader with a seven-inning nightcap.
The Roadrunners opened the scoring in the second inning, getting a leadoff single from Tapia, who stole second base and advanced to third after a fielder's choice allowed Griffin Paxton to reach to open the inning. Joshua Lamb lined a sacrifice fly into the gap to score Tapia and Bailed doubled down the leftfield line, allowing Paxton to motor home from first base for a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Raiders answered in the top of the third, plating two runs without a hit, drawing leadoff walks from Bryce Symlar and Mason Spiers, with Symlar scoring on a Fausto Lopez sacrifice fly and after a passed ball, Speirs scored on a JT Mabry sacrifice fly.
The Blue Raiders took the lead in the top of the sixth inning, getting a leadoff walk to Lopez, who took second on a wild pitch, third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch.
UTSA rallied in the seventh, getting a one-out double from Lamb and an infield single from Bailey. Bergeron then smashed a full-count pitch, down to UTSA's last strike, through the left side to score Lamb and tie the game.
Middle Tennessee took the lead in the eighth, getting RBI hits from Lopez and Cole Escher for a 5-3 lead.
GAME NOTES: Freshman RHP Kobe Jaramillo made his third career start in his sixth appearance … Junior 3B Jonathan Tapia stole his third base of the year and the 24th of his career … Junior SS Joshua Lamb hung his fourth sac fly of the year and the seventh of his career … Senior LF Ian Bailey doubled for the third time on the year … Jaramillo set a career high in innings pitched … Senior RHP Hunter Mason worked in his team-high ninth game of the year and the 54th of his career … Lamb doubled for the ninth time in 2021 and the 16th time in his career … Ryan Hunt was hit by his first pitch of the year … Jacob Jimenez made his season debut and worked in his fifth game of the year … Shane Anderson worked in his second game of the year.
- UTSA -
