GREENVILLE, N.C. — Roadrunners defeat East Carolina 8-5 in game one of the three-game series on Friday, May 9 at Clark-LeClair Stadium in Greenville, N.C. The win made UTSA the 2025 American Athletic Conference Regular Season Champions outright.
THE BASICS:
Score: UTSA 8, East Carolina 5
Records: UTSA 38-10 (19-3), ECU 27-22 (11-11)
Location: Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium
Win: Zach Royse (8-4) | Loss: Ethan Norby (6-5)
East Carolina struck first in the ball game as they notched one run in the bottom half of the third on an RBI single.
In the top of the fifth, designated hitter Garrett Gruell led off the inning with a single to right center. James Taussig then hit his ninth homer of the year down the right field line to put UTSA up 2-1.
Following the homer, Cade Sadler was walked and then advanced to second when Nathan Hodge was hit by a pitch. Sadler stole third to put runners on the corners. Mason Lytle singled through the left side, driving in Sadler to put UTSA ahead 3-1. With runners on the corners, Andrew Stucky hit into a double play, which was changed to a fielder’s choice after a challenge, allowing N. Hodge to score, giving UTSA a 4-1 lead.
In the sixth, Gruell got things started once again with a walk. He was pinch run for by Diego Diaz. Diaz stole second, putting himself in scoring position. Caden Miller then pinch hit and delivered a single to center field, scoring Diaz, giving UTSA a 5-1 lead.
The game entered a weather delay in the bottom of the sixth, due to rain over Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Zach Royse was unfazed by the break as he held ECU scoreless in the sixth.
Royse’s night would conclude in the bottom of the seventh after retiring two batters. He threw 6.2 innings in his start, allowing just six hits and one run with eight strikeouts, just one strikeout short of tying his season high.
In the eighth, Ballin singled through the left side with two outs. Lytle was hit by a pitch to put two on. Ty Hodge was able to draw a walk, loading the bases for the Roadrunners. Stucky cleared the basepaths for the Roadrunners as he doubled down the left field line, giving UTSA a seven-run lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, East Carolina threatened as they put up four runs to cut the Roadrunner lead to 8-5. Robert Orloski threw 2.1 innings, giving up just two hits and striking out three batters to earn the save.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Roadrunners are now on a nine-game winning streak.
- UTSA is 9-8 when they are out-hit by their opponent.
- The ‘Runners are 17-4 when their opponent scores first
- Stucky has reached base safely in the past 25 games.
- McClure has reached base safely in the past 18 games.
- Taussig is on a 15-game hit streak, the longest hit streak by any Roadrunner this season.
- Jordan Ballin recorded two hits for his 12th multi-game of the season.
- Taussig had two RBIs for his 14th of the season.
SCHEDULE CHANGE:
Due to incoming weather, UTSA will play a doubleheader against East Carolina on Saturday, May 10 at Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium in Greenville, N.C. The first game will begin at 1 p.m., with the second game starting 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
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