BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dylan Rock had a homer and a double but UAB used five runs over the second and third innings to post a 6-4 win over UTSA baseball in the first of a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday at Young Memorial Field.
UTSA (17-19, 9-12 Conference USA) saw its early one-run lead erased by five runs over the second and third innings from the Blazers. UTSA started to chip away – including a two-run homer from Rock in the fifth and a single tally in the sixth – but UAB was able to plate an insurance run in its last at-bat and hold on for a 6-4 win.
The Roadrunners had six hits in the game, led by two-hit outings from Rock and Nick Thornquist. Rock belted his career-high seventh homer of the year and added a double, driving in three runs. UTSA also got hits from Griffin Paxton and Joshua Lamb, with Lamb extending his hitting streak to nine games.
UTSA starter Jacob Jimenez (1-2) worked two innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on one hit and one walk, striking out one. Kobe Jaramillo opened the third inning, working 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and three runs. Freshman Kyle Sonduck came on in the fifth and worked out of the jam, getting five outs, allowing an unearned run.
UAB (15-28, 8-14 C-USA) starter Tyler O'Clair (4-4) worked six innings, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks, striking out two. Brady Greene worked the seventh, picking up his third save of the year.
The series resumes with the nightcap of the Saturday doubleheader.
The Roadrunners struck in their first opportunity, getting a leadoff double from Paxton into the gap, scoring after Rock painted a double down the leftfield line.
UAB took its first lead on a two-run homer from J. Paul Fullerton in the third inning, his second of the year.
The Blazers added on in the third, getting a two-run triple from Zack Davis and a sacrifice fly from Fullerton for a 5-1 lead.
UTSA cut into the lead in the fifth inning, getting a two-out walk from Paxton to bring up Rock, who smashed a two-run homer out to leftfield, his seventh of the year.
The Roadrunners rallied in the sixth inning, getting a leadoff triple from Lamb and a one-out sacrifice fly from Shea Gutierrez, cutting the lead to 5-4.
A wild pitch score the sixth run of the game for UAB in the bottom of the sixth.
GAME NOTES: Junior RHP Jacob Jimenez made his second start of the year in his fourth outing and his eighth career appearance and fifth career start … Senior 1B Griffin Paxton doubled for the 12th time in 2021 and the 26th time in his career … Junior CF Dylan Rock doubled for the seventh time in 2021 and the 40th time in his career … Rock has reached base safely in 14 straight games … Senior C Nick Thornquist has reached base safely in 14 straight games … Freshman RHP Kobe Jaramillo worked in his ninth game of the year … Rock belted his seventh homer of the year and the 17th of his career … Rock's seven homers marked a new career high … Junior SS Joshua Lamb tripled for the first time in 2021 and the eighth time in his career … Lamb has a nine-game hitting streak … Junior 2B Shea Gutierrez hung his second sac fly of the year.
- UTSA -
