CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Leyton Barry, Griffin Paxton and Chris Shull each cranked homers but No. 21 Charlotte scored five unanswered over the final two innings to erase a UTSA baseball lead and post a 11-10 win over the Roadrunners in a seven-inning nightcap of a doubleheader, on Saturday at Hayes Stadium.
UTSA (14-15, 6-8 Conference USA) took a 10-6 lead into the fifth inning, needing nine outs to claim the finale of a Saturday doubleheader, a few hours after the 49ers scored seven runs in their last at-bat to erase a UTSA lead and a potential series-evening win.
The Roadrunners opened the scoring for the third straight game with two in the second but the 49ers rallied with five runs over the second and third for a 5-2 lead. UTSA responded with five in the fourth for a 7-5 lead and after the 49ers got a run back in the fourth, plated three in the fifth for a 10-6 lead. The 49ers scored five in the fifth to even the game and got a solo homer in the sixth to take the win, claiming the first three games of the series.
UTSA's offensive attack scored 10 runs on eight hits and five walks, led by a 3-for-3 game with a pair of RBI – including his first homer – from Barry. Shull cranked his second homer of the year and Paxton belted his fifth, driving in a pair of runs. UTSA also got a hit from Dylan Rock, Nick Thornquist and Joshua Lamb.
UTSA starter Reece Easterling worked 2.1 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs on a walk with a strikeout. Luke Malone worked two innings, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk, striking out two. Lefty Grant Miller got an out in the fifth, before giving way to Hunter Mason. Mason (4-5) allowed three runs over 1.1 innings, surrendering a pair of homers.
Charlotte starter Matt Brooks worked 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on five hits. The 49ers also used Spencer Giesting, Hale Sims, Trae Starnes, Ryan Czanstkowski and Jackson Boss in relief. Boss (2-0) picked up the win with 1.1 shutout innings, allowing a walk and recording a strikeout.
The series will conclude on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT at Hayes Stadium.
- UTSA -
