NORFOLK, Va. – UTSA scored 13 runs in route to a nine-run win over the defending C-USA champions, No. 29 Old Dominion, on Sunday's rubber match, winning 13-4.
UTSA (21-11, 7-5 C-USA) created separation late on Sunday as they won game three of the weekend series. The Roadrunners entered the seventh inning with a 6-4 lead, doing work early. UTSA would add seven runs over the seventh and eighth inning to put the game well out of reach, hence securing the weekend series win. The series win was the fifth of the year for the Roadrunners who now hold a 5-3 weekend series record on the season.
Eight of the starting nine Roadrunners had hits on Sunday. Senior Ian Bailey led the way, as the San Antonio native fell a home run short of the cycle going 4-5 with two RBI and four runs scored. Chase Keng also had a productive afternoon as he went 3-5 with four RBI, a new season-high. Freshman Isaiah Walker also had a nice day at the plate as the outfielder went 3-5. Ryan Flores drew two walks to pair with a hit as the senior scored three runs on the day.
The Roadrunners started freshman right-hander Braden Davis (2-1) who went for six innings, tying a career-high. The Austin native allowed six hits and four runs during his time on the mound, walking three and striking out two. Grant Miller started the seventh for UTSA, as the southpaw made his second appearance of the weekend series. Miller went for two-thirds of the seventh, allowing one hit and striking out a batter. Coach Hallmark then turned to freshman righty Braylon Owens for the final out of the seventh and the remainder of the game. In Owens's 2.1 innings of work, he allowed no hits or runs and struck out five.
ODU (22-8, 6-6 C-USA) starter Sam Armstrong went for five innings as he allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits, striking out five while walking one. The sixth inning began with Trey Fisher who struck out one but allowed a hit and was hence pulled. In place of Fisher was Brett Smith. Smith was able to record the final two outs but allowed a run before doing so. The Monarchs had Vincent Bashara open the seventh. The righty went for two hitless/scoreless innings in Saturday's game, but Sunday was another story. Bashara failed to record an out and allowed three runs on four hits before being replaced by Pete Nielsen. Nielsen would pitch the rest of the seventh but not before allowing another three runs on two hits. The Monarchs would use two new pitchers for the remaining two innings. The eighth saw Brad Dobzanski and the ninth saw Connot Muly. The two combined to allow one hit and no runs.
For the third straight game, ODU got on the board first, as the Monarchs claimed an early lead in the bottom of the first. An Andy Garriola single and Matt Coutney walk gave the Monarchs runners on first and second as Robbie Petracci stepped up to the plate. Petracci would then single through the right side as one came across and ODU found themselves with a 1-0 lead.
The Roadrunners didn't waste time answering back, as UTSA would score two in the top of the second inning. Ryan Flores drew his team-leading 22nd walk of the season to start and two batters later Isaiah Walker singled to get runners on first and second. With Garrett Poston being the next man up, he hit a hard chopper to the second baseman who had trouble fielding the ball cleanly as each runner was safe – loading the bases. With the bases juiced and two outs, senior Kody Darcy delivered a bloop single to right which scored both Flores and Walker. The 2RBI single from Darcy gave UTSA a 2-1 lead.
Old Dominion was able to tie the game back up in the bottom of the frame thanks to a Carter Trice sacrifice fly. The Monarchs had runners on second and third thanks to two walks and a sac bunt as Trice launched his fly ball to deep centerfield which scored a run. After two, the score sat at two apiece.
UTSA got runs on the board for the second straight inning in the third. The inning began with back-to-back singles from Leyton Barry and Sammy Diaz. With runners on first and second, Ian Bailey cranked a double to the right field wall which brought home both Barry and Diaz, putting UTSA up two. Then, with Bailey on second, freshman Isaiah Walker smacked a single back into rightfield to score Bailey and make it a 5-2 UTSA advantage.
After both squads went scoreless in the fourth, both teams scored in the fifth. With two outs and on one on, Bailey ripped a triple to right field to get a Roadrunner on. With Bailey on third, Chase Keng singled to left to score Bailey and make it a 6-2 UTSA lead.
In the bottom of the frame, ODU flexed its muscle as the Monarchs launched back-to-back home runs. With one out and no one on, second baseman Carter Trice hit a homer that just cleared the right field wall. Two batters later, not to be outdone by his teammate, Andy Garriola hammered his league-leading 15th homer of the year and second of the weekend series. After the inning came to a close, UTSA led 6-4.
The Roadrunner offense produced in the seventh. UTSA started the inning with a walk and two straight singles to get the bases loaded with no outs. Then, Keng again came through, this time ripping a single through the right side and scoring two. The very next batter, Walker, singled to rightfield and the bases were loaded again. Garrett Poston and Kody Darcy were the next two batters and both drew bases-loaded walks. After UTSA's damage was done, the score sat at 10-4 with UTSA in the lead.
UTSA kept its foot on the gas in the eighth as the Roadrunners were able to push their lead to nine by the end of the inning. Flores led the inning off with a walk which was followed by a Bailey single and UTSA was in business with runners on first and second. With no outs, Keng ripped his third single of the game to right (advancing to second on the throw home) which scored Flores and put Bailey on third. Two pitches later and Bailey would score off of a Monarch passed ball. Then, with one out, Poston hit a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield which would score Keng and put the Roadrunners up 13-4.
Sunday Notes
Home Runs
UTSA: N/A
Old Dominion: Carter Trice (12), Andy Garriola (15)
WP – Braden Davis (2-1): 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Sam Armstrong (2-1): 5.0 IP, 8 hits, 6 runs (2 unearned), 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
Up Next
UTSA will be back in action on Wednesday, April 13, as they travel to Huntsville, Texas to face the Sam Houston State Bearkats. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and the matchup will be streamed on ESPN+.
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