SAN ANTONIO – Entering this weekend’s American Athletic Conference series with Tulane, the UTSA Baseball team sits in first place in the league and brings an exciting style of play to the field that a record number of fans have turned out to watch this season.
The home runs, the defensive gems and the aggressive baserunning have been staples in the Roadrunners’ highlight reels this season. But the reason for UTSA’s success isn’t flashy, it’s just effective.
“I think we’re good at the fundamentals,” UTSA’s sixth-year head coach Pat Hallmark said. “When we talk fundamentals around here, we try to break it down very specifically so we can hold people accountable if we’re not doing them.”
Benchmarks like throwing 62 percent strikes, finishing a game with one or fewer errors and swinging at the right pitches have been among the core pillars that have led the Roadrunners to an impressive season to date – one that includes wins against top-25 teams Dallas Baptist, Texas and Texas A&M. UTSA is closing in on its fourth consecutive 30-win season, a streak that has never been accomplished in the program’s history.
“It’s kind of boring but if you’re good at the fundamentals, you’ll at least be okay,” Hallmark said. “As a coach, I want the fundamentals done and they do them pretty well. And we’re going to continue to try to do them well.”
Chemistry has also been an important factor on the Roadrunners’ team this year. The return of 2024 AAC Newcomer of the Year Mason Lytle, who currently ranks 11th in the nation in hits, served as a cornerstone that blends together a strong combination of both returnees and new players this season.
“This team gets along,” Hallmark said. “These guys really like each other and they’re fun to be around.”
UTSA’s pitching staff, led by weekend starters Zach Royse, Braylon Owens and Conor Myles, along with standout reliever Robert Orloski, has been an important component. The Roadrunners rank seventh nationally in fewest walks allowed per nine innings (3.19), 15th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.77) and have the lowest walks and hits per innings pitched in the AAC. The pitchers shined in this past weekend’s series sweep at Wichita State.
“If you wanted me to grade them thus far, I’d give them a B+,” Hallmark said. “This weekend, they were a resounding A, maybe even an A+. I told the guys after the game Sunday that I thought it was our best pitching performance since we’ve gotten into conference play. The three starters who have been super reliable for us all year were really, really good. That’s wonderful to see.
“We’ve got a good pitching staff. The best part is, I think they can get even better. It’s fun to be that way. We’re playing pretty good and there’s room for growth too, so it’s exciting.”
Offensively, the Roadrunners have established themselves as the top team in the conference and one of the best in the nation. UTSA checks in at 11th nationally in hits (404), 12th in batting average (.322), 14th in doubles (87), 16th in on-base percentage (.430) and 16th in sacrifice flies (23). The ‘Runners also lead the AAC in runs scored (311) and slugging percentage (.488).
UTSA currently sits at No. 26 in the NCAA RPI, an important factor in determining at-large NCAA Tournament berths, and have been rated as high as No. 23 this season.
“I think it’s important,” Hallmark said. “In the 2022 season, we had a good RPI and didn’t get in the tournament so, at some point, there’s only so much you can control. I think what’s most important is playing good baseball. Focusing on this moment and maximizing this right now. But the RPI certainly matters and I do try to look at it in the offseason when we’re building schedules. We just try to play the toughest people we can non-conference, especially on Tuesdays.”
While the team’s conference standing and NCAA RPI markers are all positive, Hallmark knows the Roadrunners have a good amount of baseball still ahead of them.
“We’re trying to live in the moment more than anything,” he said. “I think if you start thinking about first place, you’re asking for something negative to happen. We’re trying to focus on right now.”
UTSA’s home games have attracted large crowds throughout the 2025 season, including a record-setting 1,457 fans against Texas State on March 25. This week’s series against Tulane, which begins Thursday at Roadrunner Field, will be a must-see for fans.
“I’d love to see a lot of fans out there,” Hallmark said. “They’ll see good baseball, exciting baseball. A team that plays hard and plays aggressive, fun baseball. We’re going to try to do that this weekend.”