Senior outfielder Drew Detlefsen was named on Tuesday as the Player of the Year in the American Conference. The senior from Trophy Club batted .385. His 92 hits led the American and and ranked tied for second in the nation. – File photo by Joe Alexander
By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
The UTSA Roadrunners figured they would be good in baseball again this season even after losing stalwarts such as Mason Lytle, James Taussig, Braylon Owens and Zach Royse to the professional ranks.
But when the Roadrunners lost both infielder Nathan Hodge and pitcher Robert Orloski to season-ending arm injuries, questions about the team’s viability as an American Conference contender mounted.
UTSA answered most of the questions by finishing tied for first in the American and earning the No. 1 seed in this week’s conference tournament.
UTSA’s Conor Myles has been named Pitcher of the Year in the American Conference. Myles posted a 9-1 record with a 3.52 earned run average. – File photo by Joe Alexander
On top of that, they dominated the postseason awards announced Tuesday afternoon.
Senior outfielder Drew Detlefsen was named Player of the Year and graduate Conor Myles Pitcher of the Year.
Detlefsen, Myles, Caden Miller, Andrew Stucky and Sam Simmons made first-team all conference, while second-team honors went to Connor Kelley.
Notable
UTSA is advancing plans for improvements in baseball player development and also in the fan experience at Roadrunner Field, according to a news release published Tuesday on the athletic department website.
Plans feature a dedicated player development center that includes a new locker room, student-athlete lounge, equipment areas, batting cages and pitching development spaces.
This phase of the project is anticipated to break ground in early 2027.
Additional enhancements to fan amenities, including premium hospitality and seating areas, upgraded concessions and improved restroom facilities, are also being planned.
Caden Miller, a first-team, all-conference selection, finished the regular season third in the American with a .377 batting average. – File photo by Joe Alexander
American Conference
Postseason awards
Player of the Year
Drew Detlefsen, senior outfielder, UTSA
Pitcher of the Year
Conor Myles, graduate student, LHP, UTSA
Newcomer Position Player of the Year
Jayson Jones, senior, infielder, Wichita State
Newcomer Pitcher of the Year
Tanner Wiggins, redshirt sophomore, RHP, Rice
Defensive Player of the Year
Jevin Relaford, senior, infielder, South Florida
Coach of the Year
Casey Dunn, UAB
All-Conference First Team
P – Ethan Norby, junior, East Carolina
P – James Litman, sophomore, Florida Atlantic
P – Conor Myles, graduate, UTSA*
RP – Joseph Webb, senior, East Carolina
RP – Sam Simmons, senior, UTSA
C – Andrew Stucky, graduate, UTSA*
UTSA graduate student catcher Andrew Stucky hit .302 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. . – File photo by Joe Alexander
1B – Caden Miller, sophomore, UTSA*
2B – Braden Burress, sophomore, East Carolina
SS – Jevin Relaford, senior, South Florida*
3B – Jayson Jones, senior, Wichita State
OF – JP Head, senior, UAB
OF – Drew Detlefsen, senior, UTSA
OF – Jason Wachs, sophomore, Tulane
DH – Dylan Koontz, graduate, Charlotte
UTL – Max Price, redshirt junior, UAB
All-Conference Second Team
P – Ryland Urbanczyk, redshirt junior, Rice
P – Connor Kelley, junior, UTSA
P – Matthew Cuccias, junior, Wichita State
RP – Ty Thames, freshman, Rice
RP – Brady Pacha, graduate, Wichita State
C – Lance Trippel, senior, South Florida
1B – Cody Gunderson, senior, Charlotte
2B – JC Davis, junior, Rice
SS – Javon Hernandez, graduate, Memphis
3B – Nick Romano, redshirt senior, Florida Atlantic
OF – Alec DeMartino, graduate, Charlotte
OF – Todd Hudson, senior, Charlotte
OF – Jack Herring, senior, East Carolina
DH – Landon Beaver, sophomore, UAB
UTL – Matt Rose, senior, South Florida
All-Freshman Team
Austin Pierzynski, catcher, UAB
Baylor Roberts, shortstop, UAB
Carter Samuelson, pitcher, UAB
Grady Lenahan, outfielder, East Carolina
Ethan Rose, pitcher, East Carolina
Ethan Sanders, pitcher, Rice
Ty Thames, pitcher, Rice
Jack Lutz, third base, South Florida
Dominic Pontbriant, pitcher, South Florida
Michael Senay, pitcher, South Florida
Sam Simmons won first-team, all conference honors after going 7-4 with a 2.51 earned run average and five saves. – File photo by Joe Alexander
Tournament schedule
At Clearwater, Fla.
Times listed are central
Wednesday
Game 1 – No. 6 FAU vs No. 7 Wichita State, noon.
Game 2 – No. 5 Memphis vs. No. 8 Charlotte, 47 minutes afterward
Thursday
Game 3 – No. 3 Rice vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 4 – No. 4 UAB vs. Game 2 winner, 47 minutes afterward
Friday
Game 5 – No. 2 East Carolina vs. Game 3 winner, 8 a.m.
Game 6 – No. 1 UTSA vs. Game 4 winner, 47 minutes afterward
Game 7 – Game 4 loser vs. Game 5 loser, 3:30 p.m.
Game 8 – Game 3 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 47 minutes afterward
Saturday
Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 9 a.m.
Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 47 minutes afterward
Game 11 – Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 47 minutes afterward
Sunday
Game 12 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 11 a.m.
Connor Kelley, a second team, all conference selection, had a 5-2 record and a 3.26 earned run average. He led the Roadrunners with 65 strikeouts. – File photo by Joe Alexander