Connor Kelley pitched six scoreless innings of relief in a 13-7 victory over Wichita State Saturday afternoon. UTSA won the second game 8-1 to assume a one-game lead on the East Carolina Pirates in the American Conference title race. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

In the middle innings of Saturday’s nightcap to a baseball doubleheader at Roadrunner Field, the public address announcer dutifully reported results of other games around the American Conference.

Notably, he told a crowd of 1,072 fans that UTSA’s closest competitors in the race for the championship had both lost, leaving the Roadrunners with an opportunity to gain ground in their quest for back-to-back titles.

The Roadrunners took care of their end of the deal, beating the Shockers 13-7 in an afternoon game and 8-1 at night to assume sole possession of first place in the race.

Southpaw Conor Myles gave up a run in seven innings as the Roadrunners claimed an 8-1 win in Saturday’s nightcap. – File photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA leads East Carolina by one game and UAB by two with everyone having seven to play in conference.

Hallmark said he didn’t know what happened around the league until reporters told him after the game.

“I just learned it when you said it,” Hallmark said at the end of a long day at the ball park on Saturday night. “That’s good. I’m glad of that … At the end of the day, I know everybody wants to win. Like, the fan-base wants to win, and we want to win, too.

“But it’s about playing good baseball.”

For Hallmark, that means his team is making one or fewer errors, with the pitching holding the opposition to three walks or less and the hitters striking out five times or less. Also, just “fighting with the bat” to stay alive with two strikes.

“I thought we did all of that in the second game,” Hallmark said. “In the first game, we weren’t quite as clean, so, when we do those things, we tend to win our share.”

Rain washed out play on Friday, forcing officials to schedule the first two games of the Wichita State series on Saturday.

By winning twice, the Roadrunners clinched their seventh series against conference competition this season and their 18th straight since May of 2024.

UTSA can claim its first sweep of a series in the American this season if it can win the finale on Sunday.

Hallmark said he doesn’t know what a victory on Sunday would do for the team’s psyche going down the stretch.

Wichita State catcher Ethan Gonzalez 2026. – photo by Joe Alexander

“The guys that play, the Jordan Ballins, (Andrew) Stucky, the (Caden) Millers, the (Connor) Kelleys, the (Sam) Simmons, there’s no psyche,” he said. “They’re right. It ain’t going to hurt or help their psyche.

“They’re just right. They’re tough people. They’ve been … to a Super Regional. But … we’re in a pennant race. We’re in a championship race. So, like, they all matter. We got seven left. They all matter, and if you get one tomorrow, it’s one more that East Carolina or UAB can’t catch you.

“It’s wonderful we get to talk about (this with) the media, and the coach, the players, that we get to talk about championships and all that stuff. Nowhere I’d rather be.”

Reminded that the Roadrunners had wrapped up a share of the American title at this time last season, Hallmark grinned and said, “Yeah, we did. We don’t this year, though.”

American leaderboard

UTSA 14-6, 32-14
East Carolina 13-7, 29-18-1
UAB 12-8, 28-18
Rice 10-10, 28-20
Wichita State 10-10, 26-22
FAU 10-10, 24-22

Coming up

Wichita State at UTSA, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Notable

In Saturday’s opener, the Roadrunners were fortunate to win, in a sense that they made three errors in the field in addition to some other foibles. On the mound, they issued four walks and hit two batters. And at the plate, they struck out 10 times and left 11 runners on.

UTSA infielder Diego Diaz played both of Saturday’s games at third base after sitting out Tuesday with a cut on his throwing hand. – File photo by Joe Alexander

On the bases, they got picked off at second.

So, it wasn’t a pretty sight for much of the game as they jumped out to a 6-3 lead after one inning and then fell behind 7-6 by the end of the fourth. In the nightcap, they played a much cleaner game. Didn’t make an error and struck out only six times.

Tied 1-1 with the Shockers after five innings, they erupted for three runs in the sixth and four in the eighth to win going away.

In retrospect, there were at least a couple of common threads in both games. In both, the bottom of the batting order punished the Shockers. Also in both, UTSA had one pitcher throw for at least six innings.

Connor Kelley in Game 1 pitched out of the bullpen and worked six frames. The big righty allowed no runs and only three hits with two walks while striking out five. In Game 2, Conor Myles was brilliant, working seven innings. The lefty from Australia allowed one run on four hits and zero walks, with eight strikeouts.

The two players have been pillars of the pitching staff most of the season, but particularly since the end of March.

“You know, it’s great,” UTSA outfielder Drew Detlefsen said. “They’re really reliable arms for us, and they’re great leaders on the mound even for the younger players. I hope they keep doing it, going forward, going into postseason. So, yeah, they’re doing great.”

Myles has now pitched seven innings to beat the Shockers two years in a row. On Saturday, he also matched his career high in strikeouts.

Jordan Ballin had five RBIs in Saturday’s doubleheader. He has hit safely in his last nine games with 13 hits in 27 at bats during the streak. – File photo by Joe Alexander

He said it’s partially coincidence that he’s performed well against them and partially due to the motivation he feels when they talk “mess” in the dugout.

“They like getting a little chirpy,” he said. “They were getting chirpy most of the game. I don’t know why. They weren’t really doing much. I guess that’s probably why they were trying to talk some mess. It just gives me a little extra. Like, I want to dominate against them just to shut ’em up.”

Myles has surrendered only three earned runs in 36 and one third innings over his last six starts. Hallmark said he’ll never take for granted what he does for the team.

“It’s not that easy to do what he’s done all year, which is pound the zone, the strike zone, and make that other team swing the bat,” the coach said. “But, he makes throwing strikes look easy. It’s what we ask of him. We just ask him to throw strikes with multiple pitches.”

Offensively, the Roadrunners have been getting a jolt of production lately from the bottom of the batting order. Diego Diaz doubled and tripled and had three RBIs in the first game. In the nightcap, he moved up to fifth in the order and went one for four.

Jordan Ballin, meanwhile, batted eighth in both games against the Shockers. In the opener, he had a hit and three RBIs. In the nightcap, the sophomore from Boerne Champion reached base three times, had a hit, two runs and two more RBIs.

In addition, Aidan Eshelman had two hits and two RBIs in the nightcap.

“You get a lineup with depth, that’s what we had last year,” Hallmark said. “That’s what we look like we’re starting to have with Jordan. He’s been hot now for several weeks. And, Eshelman, you’ve seen it.

“…We’ve talked about how he’s growing up,” Hallmark said. “I’m not going to say he’s grown up. But you’re not really surprised any more when Eshelman has a good at bat, in the clutch. It’s like, I’ve seen him do that before.

Freshman Aidan Eshelman (right) is starting to add offensive production to a strong profile as a defender at shortstop. – File photo by Joe Alexander

“It’s a positive sign. That’s basically what you’re saying. It’s not a surprise any more that they have games like this. So, that’s great. They’re capable. They are capable of carrying us. It’s not always going to be Detlefsen and (Caden) Miller and Lane (Haworth).

“I agree. You get the bottom of the lineup driving in runs and getting on base and you’re in that other dugout. It’s like, crap. Now I’ve got Miller and the crew coming up.”

On the mend

Drew Detlefsen, slowed with a hamstring injury, played in left field for the first time Saturday night after four straight starts as a designated hitter.

Detlefsen had four hits in 11 at bats in the two games. He scored three runs in Game 1 and drove in two in Game 2. He said later he feels he is about 80 percent healthy.

On Tuesday night, Diego Diaz sat out at home against Incarnate Word with a cut on his hand. He returned to the starting lineup on Saturday and played both games.

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

UTSA constructed a pair of six-run innings and romped on Saturday to a 13-7 victory over the error-prone Wichita State Shockers in the first game of an American Conference series at Roadrunner Field.

The Roadrunners weren’t without their problems, either, as they committed three errors and got picked off second base. But the Shockers made seven errors on the day to drop the opener of a doubleheader.

Game 2 on the day and in the series will be played on Saturday night at Roadrunner Field. The finale is set for Sunday afternoon.

Coming into the weekend, rain washed out a scheduled Friday game, forcing the teams to play two on Saturday.

The Shockers struck the initial blow in the top of the first, scoring three runs on two hits and two UTSA errors. Jayson Jones reached on a one-out ground ball, with the throw from UTSA third baseman Diego Diaz pulling Cade Sadler off the bag at first.

Owen Washburn followed with a single up the middle, putting runners at first and second. After UTSA starter Gunnar Brown struck out Nolan Ganter for the second out, Jaden Gustafson lifted a pop up into shallow left that fell between three converging UTSA fielders.

An error was charged to Lane Haworth, who rushed in at the last second to get his glove on a ball that dropped, allowing both base runners to score. Anthony Cepeda followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

The Roadrunners retaliated with six runs on five hits and four Wichita State errors in the bottom half of the first.

Batting against Wichita State starter Matthew Cuccias, Diaz ripped an RBI single to right field for the go-ahead run, preceding a two-run single by Jordan Ballin that gave UTSA a 6-3 lead.

From there, the Shockers kept chipping away, scoring once in the second, twice in the third and one more time in the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Jayson Jones led off against Brown, smashing a double to left. At that point, the Roadrunners made a change, lifting Brown for Connor Kelley.

Kelley walked a batter and then allowed a one-out single, loading the bases for the Shockers.

Cepeda chopped a ball to the right side for an out that allowed another go-ahead run to score, making it a 7-6 game in favor of the visiting team.

Meanwhile, the Roadrunners went hitless from the second through the fifth innings and entered the sixth still trailing by a run.

Facing left-handed reliever Heitaro Hayashi, the Roadrunners came to bat in the sixth and put another six runs on the scoreboard.

The Shockers made critical mistakes, including one on a potential inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.

Second baseman Zeb Henry fielded a ground ball, pivoted and threw wide of the bag at second. The ball ticked off shortstop Alex Ulloa’s glove, allowing two runs to score. After the dust cleared, the Roadrunners had an 8-7 lead.

UTSA scored again on the next play as Ulloa bobbled a ground ball and threw wide to first base, allowing another run to cross. At that juncture, Diaz stepped to the plate for the Roadrunners and drove a ball into the left-center gap for a two-run triple.

With runners at the corners, UTSA played small ball. Ballin executed a drag bunt that brought Diaz home from third to make it 12-7.

Kelley (5-1) worked six innings on the mound for the Roadrunners to earn the victory, allowing no runs on three hits with two walks. The big righthander fanned five.

Brady Pacha (3-1) took the hard-luck loss for the Shockers. Pacha, the third of four Wichita State pitchers, retired only two batters. He gave up two hits and five runs, but all of them were unearned.

Diaz led the Roadrunners offensively, going two for four with a double and a triple and three RBIs, making a return to the lineup after sitting out a 22-10 victory Tuesday over Incarnate Word.

Caden Miller and Drew Detlefsen also had a pair of hits. In Saturday’s nightcap, UTSA will go for the doubleheader sweep, which would also give them another series victory in the American.

The Roadrunners have won all six of their series in conference this season and 17 in a row dating back to the 2024 season.

Records

Wichita State 26-21, 10-9
UTSA 31-14, 13-6

Coming up

Wichita State at UTSA, Saturday, 6:35 p.m.
Wichita State at UTSA, Sunday, 1 p.m.

UTSA at Texas, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

With rainy weather in the area, UTSA baseball has announced the postponement of Friday’s home game against the Wichita State Shockers.

UTSA and Wichita State will start their American Conference series at Roadrunner Field no earlier than 2 p.m. on Saturday, officials announced.

A decision on the entire weekend schedule has not been finalized. On Saturday, the two sides will agree on when to fit in their three games, with an anticipated doubleheader coming on either Saturday or Sunday.

Records

Wichita State 26-20, 10-8
UTSA 30-14, 12-6

Coming up

American Conference: Wichita State at UTSA, first of three games to start no earlier than 2 p.m. Saturday. Remaining schedule is to be announced.

Non conference: UTSA at Texas, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.