UTSA preparing for C-USA tournament after beating Charlotte, 5-1

UTSA backed a strong performance from starting pitcher Karan Patel with 13 hits Saturday to defeat the Charlotte 49ers 5-1 in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Roadrunners coach Jason Marshall said UTSA will face Charlotte next Wednesday in Biloxi, Mississippi, on opening day in the Conference USA postseason tournament.

UTSA will travel to Mississippi seeking its first NCAA tournament berth since 2013.

The Roadrunners, who took two of three from the 49ers on the last weekend, will need to win the eight-team C-USA event to earn a spot in one of the NCAA regionals.

Patel carried UTSA in the regular-season finale by hurling six scoreless innings while allowing only three hits.

In the field, Patel was supported with standout defensive plays from outfielders Ryan Stacy and Trent Bowles and shortstop Joshua Lamb.

Marshall said he was pleased with the team’s play against Charlotte in the final three games, particularly the pitching, which allowed only six runs in three days.

The 49ers beat the Roadrunners 2-0 on Thursday. But the Roadrunners bounced back to take the second game, 4-3.

Records

UTSA 31-22, 16-13
Charlotte 31-22, 17-13

Notebook

Starters for opening day in the tournament are two lefties in Charlotte’s Josh Maciejewski (9-2, 2.46) against UTSA’s Steven Dressler (5-3, 2.81).