SAN ANTONIO – The No. 25 UTSA baseball team returns home to host Houston Christian on Tuesday at Roadrunner Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., free to stream on CUSA.tv.
REELING IN THE RANKINGS
For the second consecutive week, the Roadrunners hold the No. 25 spot in the D1Baseball rankings, college baseball's elite poll. UTSA also saw three more rankings this week, including No. 23 in Baseball America, No. 28 in NCBWA and No. 24 in Perfect Game.
After a 4-0 record during the week of April 10, the UTSA baseball team made its first appearance in the D1Baseball Rankings in program history last week on April 17, clocking in at No. 25. The Roadrunners also earned a spot on three other polls during the week of April 17 - No. 22 in Baseball America, No. 25 in Collegiate Baseball (first appearance) and No. 28 in NCBWA.
The Roadrunners first found a spot in national rankings during the week of April 3, earning No. 24 in Baseball America, No. 27 in NCBWA and No. 23 in Perfect Game
QUICK HITS
The Roadrunners is at the top of the conference in the top hitting and pitching categories, including first in earned run average (3.81) and batting average (.314). Simon Miller is third in the nation in ERA (1.20), seventh in the nation in wins (7) and ninth in the nation in saves (8). Antonio Valdez is third in the nation in triples (6) and Sammy Diaz is the fifth-toughest batter to strike out in the nation (17.5).
LEADING THE ROADRUNNERS
Antonio Valdez leads the team with a batting average of .382, notching a conference-high 50 RBI and six triples, team-high 60 hits, 13 stolen bases, and 42 runs. Taylor Smith has a team-high 10 home runs and Leyton Barry leads the team with 12 doubles.
On the mound, Simon Miller is third in the nation in ERA (1.20) and seventh in the nation in wins (7), along with a team-high 61 strikeouts and eight saves. Other key performers include Ulises Quiroga (6-2, 47 K's), Luke Malone (1.23 WHIP, 51 K's), Ruger Riojas (4-0, 1.05 WHIP) and Daniel Shafer (1.04 WHIP, 5 saves).
The Roadrunners lead the conference in multiple categories – batting average (.314), ERA (3.81), hits (435), on-base percentage (.414), runs (314), scoring (7.8), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.86), triples (21), triples per game (0.52), and walks allowed per nine innings (3.07).
Miller leads the conference in ERA (1.20) and wins (7). Valdez leads the conference with 50 RBI (28th in the nation) and six triples (third in the nation). Sammy Diaz is the fifth-toughest batter to strike out in the nation (17.5).
Taylor Smith is currently on a reached base streak of 33 games.
LAST WEEK FOR THE ROADRUNNERS
The Roadrunners hold a 30-10 overall record, after a series win over FIU this past weekend, taking the first two of a three-game series against the Panthers. The first game was a blowout in which UTSA beat the FIU by 22-8, its second-highest scoring game this season. The Roadrunners then secured the series victory with a 9-8 game two win, before the Panthers took the final game by 6-1.
UTSA started off the week with 5-3 loss to area rival Texas State on April 18. Josh Killeen led the team with a 2-for-4 outing with a run and RBI, while Antonio Valdez went 2-for-5 with a RBI. Freshman Ruger Riojas earned his 12th appearance of the season and put on a show, keeping the Bobcats scoreless on just one hit while striking out seven batters in three innings pitched.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Houston Christian holds an 8-27 overall record, after being swept by Nicholls this past weekend. The Huskies have never won a midweek game this season thus far.
Samuel Benjamin leads the Huskies with a .357 batting average, 45 hits, 33 RBI, and 25 runs. Reed Chumley is batting .349 avg. with 24 RBIs, 23 runs, 11 doubles, and five home runs on the year.
SERIES HISTORY VS HOUSTON CHRISTIAN
The Roadrunners lead the all-time series by 14-4 over the Huskies. The teams last played each other in a midweek matchup last season on March 15, 2022, when the Roadrunners defeated the Huskies by 10-5. UTSA holds a 7-2 advantage over Houston Christian when playing at home.
IN MIDSEASON FORM
D1Baseball released its midseason position rankings during the week of March 27 as a slew of Roadrunners made the lists at their respective positions.
Simon Miller checked in at No. 9 in the top 50 relievers list, while Luke Malone is No. 53 in the top 100 starting pitchers list.
Antonio Valdez earned No. 18 in the top 50 third basemen list, while Matt King landed at No. 29 in the top 50 shortstops and Leyton Barry sits at No. 40 in the top 50 second basemen list.
Uli Quiroga earned a feature at No. 33 in the top strike-throwers list.
Simon Miller was also named to the D1Baseball Midseason All-American Second Team.
FUEL TO THE FIVE
The Roadrunners were picked to finish fifth in the Conference USA, after a phenomenal season in 2022 in which UTSA broke multiple program records and advanced to the C-USA Championship game. Defending champion Louisiana Tech was voted to finish first. C-USA newcomer Dallas Baptist was picked to finish second, followed by Florida Atlantic at third and Charlotte at fourth.
ON DECK
The Roadrunners head to Birmingham, Ala., to face UAB in a three-game conference series this Friday-Sunday.
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