Tag Archives: Memphis Tigers

UTSA will take a two-game lead in conference into the final weekend

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Led by home runs from Trae Cassidy and James Smith IV, the Memphis Tigers exploded on Sunday for a 10-5 victory over UTSA, dashing the Roadrunners’ hopes of clinching a tie for first in the American Conference’s regular-season title chase.

The Tigers, in taking two out of three on the weekend, also handed the Roadrunners their first series loss in the American since May of 2024. UTSA had won all seven series in conference this season and 18 in row.

At the end of the day, the first-place Roadrunners held a two-game lead over the second-place East Carolina Pirates, with the Rice Owls and the UAB Blazers tied for third, three games off the pace. Each team has three remaining.

UTSA returns home this week to play regional rival Texas State in a non-conference contest on Tuesday night, followed by three in the American against UAB starting Thursday to close out the regular season.

East Carolina closes at the end of the week with three games at FAU in Boca Raton, while Rice plays three at home in Houston against Tulane. The conference tournament runs from May 20-24 in Clearwater, Fla.

UTSA is still in the driver’s seat to claim its second straight conference title. With one more victory, the Roadrunners can clinch at least a share of the championship.

In Memphis, it was a tough weekend for the visitors from San Antonio. The Tigers won 6-4 on Friday night, and UTSA rebounded Saturday with a 9-2 victory, setting up the rubber match at FedEx Park.

The Roadrunners had a chance to win it on Sunday after scoring three runs in the top of the sixth and taking a 4-2 lead.

In the uprising, Diego Diaz and Cade Sadler produced RBI singles and then UTSA pulled off a double steal for the two-run lead.

Undaunted, Memphis exploded for eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the inning against UTSA relievers Mike DeBattista and Christopher Gutierrez, opening a 10-4 advantage.

Smith capped the outburst with a three-run homer off Gutierrez that landed in a parking lot far beyond the left field wall.

Records

UTSA 34-17, 16-8
Memphis 21-29, 12-12

Coming up

Texas State at UTSA, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
UAB at UTSA, Thursday, 6 p.m.
UAB at UTSA, Friday, 6 p.m.
UAB at UTSA, Saturday, 11 a.m.

American Conference tournament, at Clearwater, Fla., May 20-24.

Around the American

East Carolina shut out Rice 3-0 on Sunday in Greenville, N.C., moving into second place in the standings and pulling to within two games of the Roadrunners. Later Sunday, Charlotte downed UAB 10-8 in 10 innings, dropping UAB into a tie for third with Rice.

American leaderboard

UTSA 16-8, 34-17
East Carolina 14-10, 30-21-1
UAB 13-11, 29-22
Rice 13-11, 31-21
FAU 12-12, 27-24
Memphis 12-12, 21-29
Wichita State 11-13, 27-25
Charlotte 10-14, 25-26
Tulane 10-14, 25-28
South Florida 9-15, 30-20

Notable

Claiming the regular-season title is regarded as significant in UTSA’s quest for a return trip to the NCAA tournament. Since the first year of baseball in the American in 2014, every regular-season champion in the conference since then has pulled down an NCAA bid. That would also include both UCF and Houston when they tied for first in 2017.

I-35 update

The Texas State Bobcats hit six home runs Sunday in a 15-9 victory to sweep three games from Arkansas State at Jonesboro, Ark. Boerne’s Rashawn Galloway and New Braunfels’ Clayton Namken hit two homers apiece for Texas State. They have won four straight overall, improving to 31-21 on the season. The Bobcats are 13-14 in the Sun Belt. Texas State beat UTSA 7-2 on Feb. 24 in San Marcos.

Memphis scores a 6-4 victory to cool off first-place UTSA

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Marcus Smith hit high-hop, two-run single over first base in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday night, breaking up a tie game and leading the Memphis Tigers to a 6-4 victory over the mistake-prone UTSA Roadrunners.

Carson Fair closed in the ninth inning as the Tigers won the opener of an American Conference three-game series at FedEx Park in Memphis.

With the victory, Memphis (20-28, 11-11) stayed in the thick of the chase for a berth in the conference’s postseason tournament. For the Roadrunners (33-16, 15-7), the loss was a disappointment as they squandered a chance to open a three-game lead in the American.

Instead, UTSA leads second-place East Carolina by two games and UAB and Rice by three with five to play in conference.

The Roadrunners, who led 3-0 after two innings, endured a night of frustration on multiple levels.

Offensively, they managed only four hits against Tigers pitching and left 14 runners on base.

UTSA drew 11 walks and three hit by pitch, but one of the most productive offenses in the conference couldn’t seem to move anyone along when it counted, as the Roadrunners were limited to three-for-21 hitting with runners on base.

Defensively, they made five errors, including three by freshman shortstop Aidan Eshelman.

Memphis, meanwhile, took another step toward locking up a berth in the postseason tournament. In conference play, the Tigers have completely flipped the script, opening at 3-8 and following with an 8-3 surge in their last 11.

Game 2 of the series against the Roadrunners is Saturday, with the Game 3 finale on Sunday afternoon.

UTSA will need to win both remaining games to keep alive its streak of conference series victories. The Roadrunners have won all seven of their series in the American this season and 18 straight dating back to May of 2024.

Records

UTSA 33-16, 15-7
Memphis 20-28, 11-11

Coming up

UTSA at Memphis, Saturday, 2 p.m.
UTSA at Memphis, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Texas State at UTSA, Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Notable

The Roadrunners scored three runs in the top of the second off Memphis starter Will Howell. The first three batters in the inning reached on a hit by pitch, a walk and a bunt single by Jordan Ballin.

With one out, Howell threw a wild pitch that skipped past the catcher, allowing Jacob Silva to score from third for the first run of the game. Next, Christian Hallmark scored from third on a Caden Miller sacrifice fly.

It was an unusual play as the pop up in foul territory was caught with the third baseman back pedaling, giving Hallmark just enough of an opening to race home and slide head first under the tag for the second run.

Drew Detlefsen followed with an RBI double off the base of the wall to make it 3-0. Howell walked the next two batters but escaped further damage when Diego Diaz popped up to right field for the third out.

An early defensive highlight for the Roadrunners came in the bottom of the third when Detlefsen robbed Trae Cassidy of what could have been either a two-run homer, or, at least, an extra-base hit that would have scored a run.

Later in the inning, though, Memphis’ Brady McAbee drilled a three-run homer off UTSA starter Gunnar Brown to tie the game, 3-3. McAbee led Memphis with two hits in four at bats and four RBIs.

Another crazy play emerged in the top of the fifth inning. With UTSA’s Jordan Ballin at second base, Eshelman popped up in the infield. Memphis reliever Isaac Lucas, however, couldn’t get a glove on the ball and it fell to the turf for an RBI double for a 4-3 UTSA lead.

McAbee, facing UTSA’s Connor Kelley, drilled an RBI single in the bottom half of the fifth to tie the game.

Upstart Memphis is expected to challenge first-place UTSA this weekend

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

With two weekends remaining in the regular season, the first-place UTSA Roadrunners are expected to face a strong challenge in American Conference play this weekend.

Diego Diaz. UTSA baseball beat Dallas Baptist 12-8 on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Roadrunner Field. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA third baseman Diego Diaz slugged a home run to highlight a four-for-four performance in an 11-8 loss against fourth-ranked Texas on Tuesday night. – Photo by Joe Alexander

The Roadrunners, leading the conference by two games, will play three on the road starting Friday night against the surging Memphis Tigers.

It’s a team that has emerged in the past month as an unlikely spoiler in the race for the championship.

“Their record’s not wonderful,” UTSA coach Pat Hallmark said. “But they’re playing their best baseball right now.”

Looking at the season as a whole, some might wonder why the Roadrunners should be overly concerned with the Tigers.

Didn’t the Tigers (19-28 overall, 10-11 in the American) lose nine of their first 11 games this season?

Didn’t they lose eight of their first 12 in conference? This is all true.

The Roadrunners (33-15, 15-6) indeed will see a team this weekend in Memphis that earlier in conference lost in weekend series to Tulane and South Florida.

Both of those teams are now tied for last in the American

At the same time, Memphis’ record is deceiving. It took its lumps early during a competitive non-conference schedule and then completely changed its mindset and outlook.

Since the middle of April, the Tigers have won nine of their last 14 games.

In conference play, they’ve won six of their last nine, with series victories over the second- and fourth-place teams in the American.

The turnaround may have started on April 14 when the Tigers, opening a weekend series in Houston, defeated the Rice Owls, 4-1.

They went on to sweep three games, including the finale when they rallied for four runs over their last three at bats to claim a 6-5 thriller in 10 innings.

Pitcher Logan Rushing nailed down the victory in the bottom of the 10th after giving up a one-out double.

Underscoring both the Tigers’ potential and the parity in the American, the Owls have since rallied into fourth place since that April 16 setback.

Last week, playing at home, the Tigers struck again.

They lost the opener but then rebounded to win the next two in a series over the second-place East Carolina Pirates, a perennial NCAA tournament team.

The Pirates dominated the opener, claiming a 12-0, run-rule victory in eight innings. From there, the Tigers took over.

In the second game, they defeated East Carolina ace lefthander Ethan Norby in a 5-3 victory.

Riding the momentum, Memphis won again the next day, 9-4.

Freddy Rodriguez and Shane Cox homered for the Tigers to affect the outcome of a game that, incidentally, helped boost UTSA into its two-game lead.

Hallmark said it’s always a challenge to face teams coached by Memphis’ Matt Riser.

“They always pitch,” he said. “They’re well coached … I know coach Riser well.

“(They’re) a little bit like us offensively. He tries to play a complete offense and bunt and run, if it’s there, but he also wants to stand in the box and get some hits.”

The Tigers’ running game on the bases is one of the best. They’ve registered a nation’s 27th-best 108 stolen bases, with Rodriguez fourth individually in that department.

Rodriguez has 37 steals in 42 attempts, while Javon Hernandez is 23 out of 24.

“They’ll be good,” Hallmark said. “They reloaded a little bit with a kid named (Michael) Gupton in center, who (UTSA assistant Ryan) Aguayo was on heavily (in recruiting) this summer. And, frankly, we couldn’t afford him.

“I guess Memphis could, because he ended up at Memphis. But he’s got (13) home runs for ’em. A very, very talented hitter. So they can swing the bat a little bit.”

UTSA, a team that has won all seven conference series this season and 18 straight since May of 2024, is coming off an emotional mid-week loss at fourth-ranked Texas.

Having won four games in a row, including a conference sweep at home last weekend against Wichita State, the Roadrunners played in Austin on Tuesday night and lost 11-8 to fourth-ranked Texas.

Making strong cases at UTSA for all-conference consideration are position players Drew Detlefsen, Caden Miller, Lane Haworth and Andrew Stucky, plus pitchers Conor Myles, Connor Kelley and Sam Simmons.

Records

UTSA 33-15, 15-6
Memphis 19-28, 10-11

Coming up

UTSA at Memphis, Friday, 6 p.m.
UTSA at Memphis, Saturday, 2 p.m.
UTSA at Memphis, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Texas State at UTSA, Tuesday, 6 p.m.

American leaderboard

UTSA 15-6, 33-15
East Carolina 13-8, 29-19-1
UAB 12-9, 28-20
Rice 11-10, 29-20
Wichita State 10-11, 26-23
FAU 10-11, 25-23
Memphis 10-11, 19-28
Charlotte 8-13, 23-25
South Florida 8-13, 29-18
Tulane 8-13, 23-27

UTSA women hold off Memphis to snap a three-game losing streak

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Idara Udo. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Junior forward Idara Udo contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as UTSA beat Memphis to split two games in the season series. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA Roadrunners executed four straight plays on the offensive end in the final minutes, scoring nine points in a row on those possessions, to down the Memphis Tigers 67-55 on Sunday afternoon in American Conference women’s basketball.

Having clinched a berth in the American’s postseason tournament on Saturday night when Tulsa beat Wichita State, UTSA (13-14, 8-8) still wanted to win on Senior Day and make amends for an earlier loss to Memphis.

Cheyenne Rowe. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

After recognition in a pre-game ceremony on Senior Day, Cheyenne Rowe had 16 points and nine rebounds against the Memphis Tigers. – Photo by Joe Alexander

They also wanted to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Roadrunners succeeded on all fronts by building an early lead and then holding off the Tigers (9-20, 3-13) at the end with a late push led by Cheyenne Rowe, Idara Udo and Ereauna Hardaway.

Rowe and Hardaway were two of the UTSA seniors recognized in a pre-game ceremony.

“It was good to get back home and get on the winning side of the game,” UTSA coach Karen Aston said. “Just a fantastic effort, I thought, on our part to see seniors go out in a winning fashion.

“But, really, just our team getting back to winning ways. I’m super proud of the way we followed the game plan and stayed composed throughout the game.”

Udo led the Roadrunners with 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Rowe, a 6-2 senior from Ontario, Canada, contributed 16 points and nine boards. Hardaway, a 5-8 guard from Jonesboro, Ark., delivered 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Guard Daejah Richmond paced the Tigers with 17 points and four assists.

Amauri Williams scored 11. With the loss, Memphis was eliminated from contention for the conference tournament.

UTSA switched up personnel in the starting lineup and then pulled out to an 18-10 lead after the first quarter.

Inserted as a starter, freshman Adriana Robles added speed to the lineup. She also produced nine points and five assists against only one turnover.

Robles also pulled down six rebounds on a day when UTSA dominated on the boards, 48-28.

Records

Memphis 9-20, 3-13
UTSA 13-14, 8-8

Ereauna Hardaway. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Senior Ereauna Hardaway contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists as UTSA avenged an earlier loss to Memphis. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Coming up

Tulsa at UTSA, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
UTSA at Rice, Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.

Notable

The Roadrunners sit in sixth place in the American Conference standings leading into their last two games of the regular season. At 8-8, the Roadrunners are two games behind 10-6 and fifth-place Tulsa and one ahead of 7-9 Temple and Charlotte.

A seeding of fifth or sixth would be advantageous for UTSA in that it would give the team a first-round bye in the tournament. Falling to seventh or lower would be perilous, in that the No. 7 through 10 seeds don’t get a bye.

In other words, finishing seventh would mean UTSA would need to win five games in five days to win the postseason title and qualify for the NCAA tournament. Finishing fifth or sixth means that the team would need four wins in four days.

UTSA’s two remaining conference games will be challenging. The Roadrunners host Tulsa (18-10, 10-6) on Wednesday. They will finish on the road against regular-season champion Rice (26-3, 16-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Third quarter

The Roadrunners opened the second half on 12-3 run, expanding their lead to 42-28.

Undaunted, the Tigers started pressing after their own field goal makes and speeding up the action. At the end of the period, UTSA led 51-44.

Udo scored nine points in the quarter for UTSA, and Williams had 11 for Memphis.

First half

The Roadrunners rode an 18-point first quarter to a 30-25 halftime lead on the Tigers.

The half ended on a bizarre note, with a foul called to prompt a stop in the action with 13.2 seconds left.

Richmond responded by flipping the ball up to hit Hardaway. Hardaway retaliated by tossing the ball back at Richmond, drawing whistles from the referees.

Both players were hit with technical fouls.

The story of the half for the Roadrunners centered on their first-quarter scoring.

Limited to 13 points or less in their last five first quarters, they shot 41 percent to take an 18-10 lead on the Tigers.

Freshman Adriana Robles started at guard for the Roadrunners along with the other regular starters, including Hardaway, Mia Hammonds, Idara Udo and Cheyenne Rowe.

Damara Allen came off the bench.

Basketball: UTSA women and men to recognize seniors

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA women have clinched a berth in the 10-team American Conference women’s basketball tournament, a team spokesman said Sunday.

The spokesman said the Roadrunners clinched on Saturday when Tulane defeated Wichita State.

UTSA will host the Memphis Tigers on Sunday at 3 p.m. Before the game, the Roadrunners will honor Cheyenne Rowe, Ereauna Hardaway and Nyayongah Gony on Senior Day.

Records

Memphis 9-19, 3-12
UTSA 12-14, 7-8

Coming up

Tulsa at UTSA, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
UTSA at Rice, Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball

In the second game of a basketball doubleheader at the Convocation Center, the Roadrunners men will host the Wichita State Shockers at 7 p.m.

UTSA will hold a postgame ceremony on Senior Night, recognizing Stanley Borden, LJ Brown, Mo Njie and Jamir Simpson.

Records

Wichita State 19-10, 11-5
UTSA 5-23, 1-15
x-UTSA has been eliminated from tournament consideration

Coming up

UTSA at Rice, Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m.

Memphis grinds out a 52-40 victory over the UTSA women

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Forward Amauri Williams produced 10 points and nine rebounds, guard Jordan Hunter hit two 3-point baskets late in the game, and the defense-minded Memphis Tigers held off the UTSA Roadrunners women, 52-40, Friday afternoon in Memphis.

Memphis locked down on the defensive end, holding UTSA to 29 percent shooting from the field, to snap a three-game losing streak.

UTSA also took a beating on the boards, 44-30, as the Roadrunners lost their second straight game for the first time since the first week of December.

“I think we’ve had some kids hit the wall a little bit,” UTSA coach Karen Aston told Neal Raphael on the team’s radio broadcast. “They just looked like they flat-lined a little bit with their effort and attention to detail.”

In the victory, Memphis (8-12, 2-5) received solid defensive play from its entire roster, notably guards Daejah Richmond and Hunter. Both pressured the ball on the perimeter and prevented UTSA (9-9, 4-3) from getting into a rhythm.

Hunter was also clutch, scoring six of her eight points in the fourth period, including two 3s that cut off UTSA’s momentum.

Richmond, meanwhile, finished with nine points and 11 rebounds. In addition, forward Tamya Smith pulled down 10 boards to frustrate the Roadrunners, who traditionally excel in that phase of the game.

“We’ve just got to get back to working hard again,” Aston said. “This didn’t look like a very hungry team. But again, you got to make shots. I mean, they only scored 52 points. It’s not like they blew us out of the water.

“We just can’t get on the boards right now. We’re getting killed on the boards. We’re getting killed in the paint, and they’re covering up … the people who have been the scorers for us. We’ve got to have other answers, and we just haven’t found that right now.”

Guard Ereauna Hardaway, one of UTSA’s primary scoring threats, produced 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds. The team’s leading scorer, Cheyenne Rowe, contributed eight points and nine rebounds.

But it was a battle for both of them as Hardaway hit four of 13 from the field and Rowe four of 14.

A few other issues may have played a role in the loss. First, Rowe was playing a few days after she sat out Tuesday night in San Antonio with an illness. Second, UTSA’s travel schedule was altered a few days ago.

Because of inclement weather across the south, officials moved the game from Saturday to Friday, meaning that the short-handed Roadrunners had one less day to recover from Tuesday’s 65-58 loss to East Carolina.

Aston credited the Tigers’ effort for what happened.

“They didn’t make it easy and nobody else does, either,” the coach said. “It’s just part of the game. If we wanted to be easy, then we’re in the wrong league.”

Records

UTSA 9-9, 4-3
Memphis 8-12, 2-5

Coming up

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

Notable

Even though Rowe returned to the lineup, the Roadrunners continue to play without six of their scholarship players. Idara Udo sat out her eighth straight game with a lower leg injury.

First half

Led on the perimeter by guards Richmond and Hunter, the Tigers played superior defense en route to a 26-14 halftime lead.

Memphis trapped UTSA guards and played passing lanes and, in the process, held the Roadrunners to 22 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers also forced the Roadrunners into 11 turnovers.

Playing at home in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, the Tigers jumped on the Roadrunners early, forcing the visitors into one for eight shooting to start the game.

Memphis used the momentum to build a 13-5 lead at the quarter. In the second period, the Tigers continued to use pressure to their advantage.

Forcing a turnover and five straight misses, they expanded the lead to 20-7. The Roadrunners rallied, pulling to within 22-14 on a Mia Hammonds left-handed layup.

But in the last two minutes, Memphis held UTSA scoreless.

Third quarter

Guard Chae Harris knocked down a three at the end of the quarter as the Tigers assumed a 37-26 lead. UTSA guard Adriana Robles scored five points in the period.

Player report indicates UTSA’s Rowe will be available today

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA women apparently will have starting forward Cheyenne Rowe available for today’s American Conference road game against the Memphis Tigers.

Rowe’s name is not on the latest player availability report, indicating that the team’s leading scorer and rebounder will be ready when the Roadrunners tip off against Memphis at 4 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

Rowe, suffering from an illness, sat out her first game of the season Tuesday night at home in a 65-58 loss to the East Carolina Lady Pirates.

The 6-foot-2 Canada native leads the team in scoring (12.9 points) and rebounds (8.8) for the season. In conference, she’s been more productive, averaging 14 and 12.8, respectively, including three games with double figures in rebounding.

Rowe is also one of the team’s top shot makers, hitting 46.1 percent for the season.

UTSA (9-8, 4-2) and Memphis (7-12, 1-5) were originally scheduled to meet on Saturday. But the game was moved up a day out of weather-related concerns in Tennessee.

Records

UTSA 9-8, 4-2
Memphis 7-12, 1-5

Coming up

UTSA at Memphis, Friday, 4 p.m.
North Texas at UTSA, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Notable

Starting forward Idara Udo is scheduled to sit out her eighth straight game with a lower leg injury. Udo will be out for today’s game along with Maya Linton, Ny Gony, Saher Alizada, Taylor Ross and Sema Udo. Gony, Ross and Sema Udo are out for the season.

Memphis rolls in the second half to deal UTSA its 11th straight loss

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Playing with underwhelming intensity in front of their bewildered fans early, the Memphis Tigers eventually made some adjustments and pulled away for a 95-69 victory Sunday night at the FedEx Forum, dealing the UTSA Roadrunners a program record-tying 11th straight loss.

Even though the Roadrunners competed on almost even terms for the first 19 minutes of the game, they eventually broke down in the second half. As a result, they tied the program’s record for consecutive losses set in the spring of the 2022-23 season.

Guards Dug McDaniel and Sincere Parker led the Tigers. Parker hit seven of 10 shots from the floor and scored 22 points. McDaniel, a 5-foot-11 transfer from Kansas State, ran the show with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Not only did McDaniel rule in the floor game and on the boards, he also supplied long-distance shooting, hitting four of the Tigers’ 11 three pointers.

Fast-improving freshman Dorian Hayes pace the Roadrunners with 17 points. Hayes, from Houston-area Ridge Point High School, knocked down five 3-point shots. Walkon LJ Brown emerged as a surprise contributor with 14 points to match Jamir Simpson. Austin Nunez had 13 points and three assists.

Baboucarr Njie had six rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots in 34 minutes. The 6-foot-6 sophomore from Dayton, Ohio, scored six points on two of nine shooting.

UTSA coach Austin Claunch said the game started to slip away at the end of the half. It happened when a couple of empty offensive possessions led to five straight Memphis points and a 10-point Memphis lead at intermission.

“The last minute of the half, a little 5-0 spurt, just changes the feeling of the game,” Claunch said. “It goes from five to 10. We come out in the second half and we battled for awhile … It was 14 at the under 12 (timeout).

“Listen, when you’re playing catch up at the end against a team like that, it’s going to get away from you. If you have to run around and try to trap, they’re going to score at will, which is why the score ended up being what it was.”

Records

UTSA 4-14, 0-6
Memphis 9-8, 4-1

Coming up

UTSA at North Texas, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Notable

Both Dorian Hayes and LJ Brown are the sons of former NBA players. Hayes is the son of Chuck Hayes, who played 11 season in the NBA, including for the Houston Rockets, the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors. Brown’s father is Devin Brown, who played in high school in San Antonio at West Campus High School and in college for four years at UTSA. He spent eight years in the NBA, including 2005 with the Spurs when they won a title.

The Roadrunners played again without 7-foot center Stanley Borden, who has been out the past 15 games with a hand injury. The Duke transfer played limited minutes in only the first three games of the season. Four days ago, it appeared he might play in a UTSA home game against Rice. On game day, he was listed as questionable, and then he suited up and went through pre-game warmups. But, ultimately, he did not play against the Owls or on Saturday against the Tigers in Memphis … Seven-foot-one center Aaron Bradshaw, who has started nine of 15 games for Memphis, did not play against UTSA. Bradshaw, a transfer from Ohio State, is averaging 8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.

First half

The Tigers outscored the Roadrunners 5-0 in the last 49 seconds before intermission to take a 43-33 lead.

But even though the Tigers held the advantage, their fans weren’t thrilled, as they never were able to pull away from the last-place team in the American Conference.

Some of that came as a result of sloppy play by the Tigers, who turned it over eight times and sometimes couldn’t stop the Roadrunners.

UTSA played well offensively at home last week against Rice, and that rhythm seemed to carry over in stretches of play against Memphis.

UTSA wins 6-5 in 11 innings to complete an AAC series sweep over Memphis

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The day started with the American Athletic Conference-leading UTSA Roadrunners looking a little out of sorts.

Maybe it was the noon start on a muggy Sunday in San Antonio. Maybe it was a lack of concentration after scoring a combined 29 runs in a pair of run-rule decisions over the past few days. Whatever it was, they fell behind by two in the first inning, and, before anyone knew it, the last-place Memphis Tigers had gained some swagger and momentum.

By the eighth, the visitors looked absolutely salty, surging again into a two-run lead. But it didn’t last long.

The Roadrunners found their groove, scratching out two runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie, before they walked it off in the 11th. With the bases loaded and two out, Ty Hodge belted a drive that sailed over centerfielder Cade Greer, bringing home the winning run in a 6-5 victory that gave the Roadrunners a series sweep over the Tigers at Roadrunner Field.

In response, UTSA players chased Hodge into the outfield, whooping it up and celebrating like the kids that they are. All of them enjoying another magic moment in a season that has potential to produce a few more scenes just like this one.

“It was a fun game,” Hodge said. “Obviously, walk offs are always fun. Yeah, it was a good game. They played well. I thought we played pretty well. Just didn’t hit as well as we have the past two days, but that’s baseball. But, yeah, we put ourselves in a position to win at the end. They gave me a good pitch to hit and got the job done.”

Even if the game wasn’t a runaway success like the 12-2 and 17-7 victories on Friday and Saturday, respectively, Hodge and the Roadrunners will take it, especially after digging deep to come back at the end.

“We handled it well,” Hodge said. “Our team’s got a lot of fighters. We’re never out of it. Yeah, extra innings are fun. We were ready for the challenge, and got it done.”

After opening the season in February with a 1-3 record, the Roadrunners (33-10, 15-3 in the AAC) have morphed into a confident bunch of guys with players up and down the lineup and all through the pitching staff contributing. They have won games by lopsided scores. They’ve won the close ones. They’re winning at home (22-2) and on the road (11-8).

Picked to finish fourth in conference, they have played six three-game AAC series and have won them all, including three sweeps, to forge a three-game lead over the second-place South Florida Bulls. Over the next three weeks, UTSA has 11 games to play in the regular season and nine in conference.

As for their next challenge, they’ll play an out-of-conference game Tuesday night on the road against the rival Texas State Bobcats, before they take to the road again to face the Bulls in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 AAC series next weekend.

UTSA coach Pat Hallmark said his team will be ready to play in the Interstate 35 rivalry right after an emotional series against Memphis and just before it faces the Bulls starting Friday night in Tampa, Fla.

“I don’t mind it,” Hallmark said. “I mean, (the Bobcats) are good. They’re always good. Coach (Steve) Trout does a good job. I know what you’re talking about, with the emotions, just after this emotional game. And then the big games this (next) weekend (in Florida). You worry about a trap game, or something. But we’ll be ready. Texas State will be ready, too.”

In the series finale, Memphis (16-27, 4-14) played the best game of the weekend, by far. Centerfielder Cade Greer went three for five at the plate and robbed Hodge of the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. With base runners at first and second, Hodge lifted a fly ball into the outfield. Greer may have misplayed it initially, but in recovery, he raced in and dove to catch it.

It was a game-saving play, for sure.

In addition, Justin Fogel went two for four and blasted a solo home run in the top of the eighth that gave Memphis a 5-3 lead. As for the pitching, relievers Davis Oswalt, Will Howell and Brayden Sanders combined to pitch the last eight and a third innings, holding the explosive Roadrunners to four runs on seven hits.

For the Roadrunners, Hodge shined for the third day in a row with a two-for-five performance, driving in two in the process. Norris McClure and Andrew Stucky also had a couple of hits apiece. In power production, Stucky and James Taussig delivered with solo home runs. Stucky pulled one over the left field wall in the third inning and Taussig hammered his third of the series in the fourth.

With UTSA trailing by two entering the bottom of the eighth, McClure started the rally against Howell with a one-out single and advanced on a wild pitch. Hodge followed by stroking an RBI single through the right side. A key sequence ensued with Broc Parmer ripped a Harris fastball down the right field line for an RBI triple to knot the score at 5-5.

Another turning point came when Connor Kelley entered the game to pitch in relief in the ninth. Kelley, pinpointing a fastball clocked as high as 97 mph, retired nine batters in a row through the next three innings. It set the stage for the Roadrunners to win it in the bottom of the 11th, and that’s what happened.

Facing Sanders, freshman Jordan Ballin and Stucky drew back-to-back walks. Getting a little rattled after being called for a pitch-clock violation on a ball-four call, Sanders fired a ball that grazed Norris McClure, a hit-by-pitch that loaded the bases. From there, Hodge did the rest.

After working the count to 3-2, he hit a ball over Greer’s head in center, scoring Ballin with the winning run. As a result, Kelley (2-0) was awarded with the victory. Sanders (0-1) took the loss.

Records

Memphis 16-27, 4-14
UTSA 33-10, 15-3

Coming up

UTSA at Texas State (non conference), Tuesday at 6 p.m.
UTSA at South Florida, Friday
UTSA at South Florida, Saturday
UTSA at South Florida, Sunday

AAC leaders

UTSA 15-3
South Florida 12-6
Charlotte 11-7

JB’s video replay

Zach Royse strikes out nine as UTSA run-rules Memphis, 12-2

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Zach Royse. UTSA beat Memphis 12-2 in seven innings in American Athletic Conference baseball at Roadrunner Field on Friday, April 25, 2025. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Zach Royse pitched six innings and allowed only a run on four hits against Memphis. He struck out nine and walked two. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

After UTSA dismantled the Memphis Tigers 12-2 in a seven-inning, run-rule decision Friday night, pitching seemed to be top of mind for Roadrunners coach Pat Hallmark. Particularly, the work of starter Zach Royse, who yielded one run and struck out nine in six easy-going innings.

“Royse has had a very good year,” Hallmark said, “very consistent, mature, all these things we like. Reliable. But I thought tonight he had his best stuff, which is saying something, because he’s usually (at) 93 miles an hour, and I haven’t seen the velocities, but it looked a little firmer tonight.

Ty Hodge home run. UTSA beat Memphis 12-2 in seven innings in American Athletic Conference baseball at Roadrunner Field on Friday, April 25, 2025. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Ty Hodge gets the flying arm bump after his sixth-inning grand slam against the Memphis Tigers. – Photo by Joe Alexander

“Yeah, it looked tough. The breaker looked harder (with more depth). Really, just a great job by him.”

The Roadrunners played what Hallmark called a “clean game” on defense with no errors, and they also stroked 14 hits on offense — including a three-run homer by James Taussig and a grand slam by Ty Hodge — to maintain a two-game lead on the South Florida Bulls in the American Athletic Conference.

The Bulls won on the road, downing the Wichita State Shockers, 4-1, to stay within two of the top spot in the AAC standings. The Roadrunners, meanwhile, held serve with their 31st victory of the season. On pace to win 40, UTSA improved to 31-10 overall and to 13-3 in the AAC.

Afterward, Royse said he just feels good physically at this point in the season, which is obviously a good thing for the Roadrunners. His mix of off speed and fastball may have been the key. He agreed that his heater may have been “a tick” harder than usual against Memphis.

“It’s just the time of the year, getting later toward the end of the season,” Royse said. “Body’s feeling good. You know, I’ve been throwing for quite awhile.” Asked if the warm weather helps, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior from Katy said it “definitely” does.

The Roadrunners backed Royse (6-4) by erupting for three runs in the third inning, five in the fifth and four more in the sixth. Taussig ripped his fifth home run of the season in the fifth by pulling it far over the right field wall. Hodge, not to be outdone, smacked his fourth of the year in the sixth.

Drew Detlefsen. UTSA beat Memphis 12-2 in seven innings in American Athletic Conference baseball at Roadrunner Field on Friday, April 25, 2025. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Drew Detlefsen executes a head-first slide at home to score in UTSA’s five-run fifth inning. – Photo by Joe Alexander

On both occasions, Roadrunners who were not even in the game got in on the act, greeting both Taussig and Hodge on the dugout steps after their trip around the bases with the customary ‘boom’ celebration. In the celebration, everyone jumps, and the home run hitter makes contact with someone on a flying arm bump.

The “boom” is emblematic of a close bond that has developed among players over the course of the season. Royse said he thinks the cohesive nature of the group may be what separates UTSA from teams that aren’t winning as much. “Our camaraderie is really great,” he said. “You know, all the guys are together. It’s been a good time.”

Records

Memphis 16-25, 4-12
UTSA 31-10, 13-3

Coming up

Memphis at UTSA, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Memphis at UTSA, Sunday, noon
UTSA at Texas State (non conference), Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Notable

UTSA has hit six grand slams this season, including one each in the last two games.

In the Roadrunners’ previous outing, last Saturday at home, Diego Diaz hit one in the second inning of a 25-5 victory over the Tulane Green Wave. In the sixth inning against Memphis, Hodge smashed one off reliever Malik Harris, pulling a line drive over the left field wall, scoring Taussig, Drew Detlefsen and Jordan Ballin ahead of him.

With the win against the Tigers, Roadrunners can now clinch the series with a victory on Saturday afternoon. Righthander Braylon Owens will get the start. Already, UTSA has won all five of its AAC series this season — against Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, UAB, Wichita State and Tulane. UTSA closes conference with road series at South Florida and East Carolina and then a home series against Rice.

The Roadrunners are 20-2 at home.

AAC leaders

UTSA 13-3, 31-10
South Florida 11-5, 23-16
Charlotte 10-6, 24-17

James Taussig. UTSA beat Memphis 12-2 in seven innings in American Athletic Conference baseball at Roadrunner Field on Friday, April 25, 2025. - Photo by Joe Alexander

James Taussig acknowledges his teammates after ripping a three-run homer in the fifth inning against Memphis starter Seth Garner. – Photo by Joe Alexander