SAN ANTONIO – On Tuesday night, UTSA Baseball hosted UIC for its first midweek matchup of the season. The Flames held a slim early lead before the Roadrunners blew it open with nine runs across the fourth and sixth innings. First-year ‘Runner Christian Hallmark belted a grand slam in the sixth to highlight a 10-3 win for the home squad. With the victory, Pat Hallmark has his first 4-0 start at UTSA, guiding the program to the mark for the first time since 2013.
FIRST INNING
Senior Gunnar Brown picked up the start in UTSA’s first midweek contest of the season. An early triple was brought home for the run’s first game via a wild pitch, handing UIC a quick 1-0 edge. Neither side mustered much offensively in the early stages as the score held into inning three.
THIRD INNING
Sam Simmons entered his second frame of action after stepping in for Brown early in inning two. The senior sat down six of the first seven Flames he faced, cueing his offense down a run. Facing a 2-1 count, Caden Miller continued his scorching start to the campaign. The sophomore belted a ball 404 feet to right-center field, tying the affair with his first home run of the season.
FOURTH INNING
After Simmons produced another hitless inning, the ‘Runner bats stepped up to the plate once more. A leadoff Christian Hallmark single preluded three straight hit batters, with the final free base scoring a go-ahead run. After a pitching change, Josh Arquette landed a two-RBI single to left center and sent his side into the game’s second half with a 4-1 edge.
SIXTH INNING
UIC pulled closer with a leadoff home run in the top half of the sixth, but the damage stopped at the solo shot. The first three Roadrunners in the bottom half were all hit by pitches, bringing up Drew Detlefsen who made it four of five. The free base drove in Andrew Stucky and kept the bases loaded for the highlight of the evening. Christian Hallmark, in his fourth game with UTSA, battled off a pair of foul balls before taking two pitches outside the zone. On the 2-2 count, the outfielder sent a rocket into the outfield grass of Roadrunner Field, ripping the game open with a grand slam that pushed the margin to 9-2. Aidan Eshelman and Jordan Ballin each followed up with singles before Caden Miller brought Eshelman around to score on a ground ball. As the dust settled, UTSA held a convincing 10-2 advantage with nine Flame outs remaining.
NINTH INNING
Jake Qualia recorded the final four outs of the game, making his first appearance since picking up the win on Saturday over South Dakota State. Following a leadoff double in the final frame, a well-placed single plated the affair’s final run (10-3). On a routine fly ball to Brandon Bishop in center field, the Roadrunners sent the home faithful out the gates happy with their fourth consecutive victory.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- Sam Simmons notched his first win of the season, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings while striking out a pair and allowing just one hit.
- The senior was the lone UTSA pitcher to face at least 10 batters, retiring nine of 12 on 44 pitches.
- The Roadrunners’ 11 hits were their fewest in a game this season.
- The Roadrunners’ 10 runs were their fewest in a game this season.
- On the night, eight different ‘Runners racked up a hit, led by Christian Hallmark (three) and Jordan Ballin (two).
- Christian Hallmark’s sixth-inning grand slam was the first of his collegiate career, in addition to being his first home run as a Roadrunner.
- Aside from Hallmark’s four, Caden Miller and Josh Arquette each led the way with two RBIs in the win.
- Caden Miller also notched his third stolen base of the young campaign, nabbing second base in the sixth.
- The first baseman’s third-inning home run traveled 404 feet, tying Broc Parmer for the season’s longest home run by a ‘Runner up to that point.
- Just three frames later, Hallmark bested Miller’s mark, sending his grand slam 415 feet and over the right-center field wall.
- Through four games of offensive production, UTSA has now amassed 59 hits (including 19 for extra bases), 53 runs, 26 walks drawn and a .399 batting average.
- UTSA sits two wins away from setting a school record for most victories to open a season. In both 2013 and 2010, the Roadrunners jumped out to 5-0 records before suffering a loss.
UP NEXT
Over the weekend, two of the nation’s elite mid-major programs will square off at Roadrunner Field. Dallas Baptist (4-0) is set to visit UTSA for a three-game series from Friday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22. All the action between the Patriots and Roadrunners will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via utsa.statbroadcast.com.
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