SAN ANTONIO – On Saturday, UTSA Baseball evened its series against East Carolina in a matchup of American Conference heavyweights. The Roadrunners jumped ahead early with a five-run first inning and never looked back. Conor Myles and Sam Simmons combined to hold the Pirates to one run, dropping ECU to 16-11-1 this season. Drew Detlefsen had another productive day at the plate as he led his squad to a 19-8 overall mark. Both sides stand at 3-2 in league play ahead of Sunday’s rubber match.
FIRST INNING
Following their first shutout of the season on Friday, the ‘Runners wasted no time making a mark on Saturday. The first five batters all recorded a hit, including a double off the wall in left from Drew Detlefsen. A Pirate error gave both Caden Miller and the senior a green light as Detlefsen wound up with a double and a 360-foot trip around the bases. Lane Haworth, Andrew Stucky and Garrett Gruell all notched subsequent singles as the hosts started off with five straight hits to open the game. After Gruell’s RBI base knock made it 3-0 still with no outs, the Pirates opted for a new pitcher. Christian Hallmark then reached on a fielder’s choice before another error brought Stucky home. The center fielder made his way to second on the miscue before stealing third and eventually scoring on a Josh Arquette sacrifice fly. The Roadrunners followed up a scoreless Friday with a five-run first frame on Saturday, taking an early 5-0 lead.
SECOND INNING
Conor Myles continued his showing on the mound, rolling on through his seventh weekend start of the season. The Australian tossed a 1-2-3 frame after escaping a jam in the first, holding the Pirates scoreless early on.
FOURTH INNING
Nine pitches were enough for another three-up, three-down frame from Myles, setting up his offense once again. Josh Arquette was hit by the third offering, prompting another pitching substitution from ECU. Nothing came of the leadoff baserunner, however, keeping a 5-0 mark on the board.
SIXTH INNING
Back-to-back singles got the Pirates going to lead things off, sending Pat Hallmark to the mound for his only pitching change of the afternoon. Sam Simmons took over, allowing a run to score on a double play. The senior stopped the bleeding there and took a four-run edge into the game’s final third.
SEVENTH INNING
A quick top half preluded the Roadrunners’ seventh trip to the plate. With two away, Detlefsen stepped up in search of another score. The left fielder drilled the first pitch he saw 435 feet to dead center field, taking a trip over the batter’s eye for his 10th home run of the season. The two-out solo blast went unsupported, but gave UTSA its second five-run lead at 6-1.
NINTH INNING
After both sides were retired in order during the eighth, ECU came up to bat for its final shot at extending the affair. Two singles seemed to breathe no-out life into the Pirate dugout, but each of the next three batters went down quietly. Josh Arquette made the game-winning grab near the wall in foul territory behind third base, securing his team’s 19th win and third in league play.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- UTSA improved to 7-5 all-time against ECU, climbing to 3-2 at home.
- After notching just two hits on Friday, UTSA tallied seven in Saturday’s win.
- In each of the first four weekends this season, the series was already decided before first pitch on Sunday. However, for the second straight series, a rubber match on Sunday will determine the winner.
- Drew Detlefsen was the lone Roadrunner to record two hits on Saturday, capping off the day with his 10th home run of the season.
- The left fielder was also the only player for either side to score twice, bumping his team-high season total to 37 runs.
- UTSA picked up its 10th win at Roadrunner Field this spring (10-3).
- Conor Myles allowed just one run through 5.0 innings of solid work, improving to 3-1 with 48 strikes on 78 pitches.
- The graduate left-handed pitcher dropped his ERA to 4.50 in 2026.
- Sam Simmons was exceptional once again, earning his third save of the season.
- The senior tossed 4.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and punching out as many Pirates without a single walk or hit batter.
- Simmons, who entered the weekend as one of just four NCAA Division I pitchers with six victories, improved his ERA to 1.42 this season.
- The ‘Runners have tallied just one total home run across their last three outings, but are 2-1 during the stretch.
- Diego Diaz led the team and set an individual season high with six assists on Saturday.
UP NEXT
UTSA will welcome ECU for the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. from Roadrunner Field. The hosts look to secure their 13th straight regular-season series victory and finish the week above .500 in league play. All the action from San Antonio will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via utsa.statbroadcast.com.
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