The UTSA Roadrunners are set to play a non-conference baseball game on the road tonight in San Marcos against the Texas State Bobcats. But, as fans of the two schools understand, it’s not just another game.

It’s a continuation of a four-decades-old rivalry in all sports, including three decades of competition on the baseball diamond.

On top of that, Texas State (28-9) will take the field for the 6 p.m. game at Bobcat Ballpark with one of its strongest teams ever, ranked as high as ninth in the nation among the various polls. UTSA (24-12) won’t be in awe. The Roadrunners also have one of their best teams in recent times.

Both squads have dreams of playing in the NCAA tournament.

The rivalry between the schools has been ongoing for more than four decades, dating to 1981, when UTSA started its athletics programs. The baseball rivalry has spanned more than 30 years.

Texas State played the sport early in the 20th century and dropped it in 1931, according to baseball-reference.com. The program was re-started in 1984 when the school initially moved up to NCAA Division I. UTSA added baseball to its overall Division I program in 1992.

Baseball passions between the schools have been dormant for a couple of years now, which lends some sizzle to tonight’s game and to one scheduled April 26 at Roadrunner Field.

It’s the first meeting of the two schools in baseball since March 10, 2020, the day before the pandemic shut down the collegiate spring sports season and much of the rest of the sports world. On that day, Texas State won 11-1 in San Marcos, defeating UTSA for the third time in four tries.

Who holds the upper hand in the series? Overall, the Bobcats hold a 60-37 advantage, but the Roadrunners have closed the gap slightly over the last nine seasons, trailing only 12-9. Texas State is 31-16 against UTSA in San Marcos, including 7-3 in the last nine seasons.

Texas State’s last trip to the NCAA tournament came in 2011 when it shared membership with UTSA in the Southland Conference. UTSA’s last NCAA appearance came in 2013. That was the first year that both programs played in the Western Athletic Conference.

By the next season, both programs split, with Texas State moving into the Sun Belt and UTSA into Conference USA.

Given the passions associated with the rivalry, we’ll go back in recent history to take a look at the game by game results since the 2011 season.

2021

Did not play

2020

Texas State wins 11-1 at San Marcos on March 10

2019

UTSA wins 8-5 at San Antonio on April 30

Texas State wins 14-1 at San Marcos on April 2

Texas State wins 8-3 at San Antonio on March 5

2018

UTSA wins 5-3 at San Marcos on April 3

UTSA wins 7-2 at San Antonio on March 20

Texas State wins 5-2 at San Marcos on March 13

2017

Texas State wins 11-8 at San Antonio on May 2

UTSA wins 9-1 at San Marcos on March 7

2016

Texas State wins 6-0 at San Antonio on May 3

Texas State wins 13-10 at San Marcos on April 5

UTSA wins 14-7 at San Antonio on March 15

2015

UTSA wins 10-8 at San Marcos on April 14

UTSA wins 5-4 at San Antoio on March 31

Texas State wins 11-7 at San Marcos on March 17

2014

UTSA wins 7-2 at San Antonio on April 15

Texas State wins 7-6 at San Marcos on April 1

2013

Texas State wins 12-3 at San Antonio on May 5

Texas State wins 13-8 at San Antonio on May 4

UTSA wins 3-2 at San Antonio on May 3

Texas State wins 6-0 at San Marcos on March 5

2012

UTSA wins 4-0 in San Marcos on May 13

Texas State wins 4-3 in San Marcos on May 12

Texas State wins 8-3 in San Marcos on May 11

2011

Texas State wins 7-6 in San Antonio on May 8

Texas State wins 9-7 in San Antonio on May 7

Texas State wins 3-0 in San Marcos on May 6