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 in Clearwater, Fla.

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.

It was the second straight year that a UTSA player under Coach Pat Hallmark has been named Player of the Year after Lytle won it last spring.

Before addressing his own award, Detlefsen said the mood of the team is “great” heading into Clearwater.

“We’re going into this tournament ready to compete, ready to win,” he said. “Ready to take home a conference tournament championship. I think the morale is high right now. We’re going to get after it on Friday.”

Detlefsen said it feels good to win the individual honor, continuing the legacy of success at UTSA, led by Hallmark and assistant coach Ryan Aguayo.

“Just fortunate to get Player of the Year this year,” he said.

Detlefsen has made a sizable improvement in his fielding since he arrived at UTSA in 2025.

This season, he was a standout in left field with the ability to make acrobatic catches at the wall and throw out runners on the bases.

But as a .385 hitter, which ranks second in the conference and 29th in the nation, he won the award largely because of his bat.

A native of Trophy Club, in the DFW area, he led the conference in both hits (92) and RBI (67).

His 92 hits are tied for second in NCAA Division I with Terrance Grines of Tennessee-Martin, only eight shy of the national leader, Jarren Advincula of the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets.

“I honestly didn’t know that,” Detlefsen told reporters Tuesday. “That’s pretty awesome.

“I’m going to try to continue to hit this weekend going forward into, hopefully, (NCAA) regionals and see where I get at the end of the season.”

Hallmark has been hard on Detlefsen at times this year, trying to make sure he reached his potential. The Roadrunners’ offensive catalyst didn’t take it personally.

“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” said the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, who hit a team-leading 13 home runs. “He gets the most out of me.”

Detlefsen and Myles joined Caden Miller, Andrew Stucky and Sam Simmons as first-team all conference selections, while second-team honors went to Connor Kelley.

While Myles, Simmons and Kelley led the pitching staff this season, Miller played first base and outfield. Stucky was a catcher and also a designated hitter.

As a Saturday starter, Myles (9-1) led the conference in wins and ranked fifth in earned run average (3.52).

“(Pitcher of the Year) means a lot,” he said. “It was a goal that I had the entire year, especially at the start of the year after Rob got hurt. I knew that I had to pick up some slack with Rob not being available.

“I think the coaches just put me in a great position to succeed, and even though our defense has looked a little bit iffy at some points, they definitely were a big reason for my successful year this year.”

Despite UTSA losing five of its last eight games overall and its last two series in conference play, Myles said he feels good about the team’s chances going into the tournament.

“I think we got a really good chance, actually,” he said. “I mean, we have to win three games (to win the postseason title). Three games and we’re into another (NCAA) regionals.

“There’s been some bumps in the road,” he said. “We’ve seen how good this team can be when we play good, sound baseball.

“If we can get back to that, which I have no doubt that we can, we’re going to be a pretty tough team to beat.”

Asked if he thinks UTSA needs to win three in Clearwater to make the NCAA field, Myles said he didn’t know, but he doesn’t want to leave it to the committee.

“I’d rather go in there and win the conference tournament,” he said. “It’s also the only thing I haven’t really done since I’ve been here. I’ve been to a regional. I’ve been to a super (regional).

“Never won a conference tournament, so that’s something I’m really trying to go for this year.”

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

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

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.

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.