SAN ANTONIO— Roadrunners defeat Youngstown State 4-3 in dramatic fashion to open the four-game series on Friday, Feb. 28 at Roadrunner Field in San Antonio, Texas
THE BASICS:
Score: UTSA 4, Youngstown St. 3
Records: UTSA (8-3), Youngstown State is 1-7
Location: Roadrunner Field
Win: Robert Orloski (3-0) | Loss: Braden Gebhardt (0-1)
Starting pitcher Zach Royse earned his third start of the year and quickly went to work shutting out the Penguins in the first inning. However, in the second inning Youngstown State took a 1-0 lead on a passed ball.
Royse then held Youngstown State scoreless in the third. In the top of the fourth, Youngstown State extended their lead to 2-0 on a single to center field, scoring a runner.
After going hitless for five innings, the Roadrunners managed to tie the game, knocking two across in the sixth. Ty Hodge was the first Roadrunner on board, and he managed to walk. Lorenzo Morresi brought him home on a triple down the right field line, his first of the year, to give UTSA its first run of the game. With the infield playing in and Morresi on third, Nathan Hodge hit a ground ball to the shortstop who threw it away going to first allowing Morresi to score evening the game.
In the seventh Mason Lytle opened the inning off with a single, he was then able to advance to second on a wild pitch. Lytle then stole third for his fourth stolen base of the season. Lytle then scored on an error by the catcher due to an obstruction as he picked the ball up with his mask to put the Roadrunners up 3-2.
With Robert Orloski on the mound, Youngstown State homered to even the game at 3-3. Orloski managed to get out of the inning only giving up the one home run. Orloski came into the game in the sixth and pitched a gem as he only allowed three hits and one run while striking out eight batters in only 64 pitches.
UTSA opened bottom of the ninth with a leadoff walk by Caden Miller. Lytle then singled to put Miller in scoring position. Norris McClure was the next man up, McClure squared around to bunt with intention to advance the runners and he did just that but also managed to reach first safely.
A nice defensive play kept UTSA at bay as they managed to get Miller out at home on a fielder’s choice. James Taussig stepped up to bat with the bases loaded and quickly fell to an 0-2 count. After fouling two balls off and watching one out of the zone, Taussig hit a chopper over the first baseman's head allowing Lytle to score and the Roadrunners to win 4-3.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Roadrunners are now 8-3 with a 7-0 home record and 3-0 in night games.
- UTSA is now on a seven-game win streak.
- The UTSA pitching staff set a new game high of 15 strikeouts.
- Lytle had a 3-for-5 day for his eighth multi-hit game and third straight game with a hit.
- Taussig notched two hits on the night for his second multi-hit game.
- Morresi also had two hits on the day for his third multi-hit game.
- Orloski’s eight strikeouts is a new season high for him.
- Miller had three walks, which is a game high for the Roadrunners.
-UTSA-