CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A big five-run third inning for UTSA set off a three-frame stretch that saw the Roadrunners collect 10 of their runs en route to a 11-5 decision over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday night at Chapman Field.
UTSA struck first in the opening frame, sandwiching a walk and Nick Thornnquist double in between a pair of
Leo Perez strikeouts to scratch out the first run and take the 1-0 lead.
A&M-Corpus Christi countered with two runs of their own in the home half, as
Brandon Petkoff came aboard on a walk before
Josh Caraway belted a triple to center and
Brendan Ryan smacked a subsequent single to hand the Islanders a 2-1 edge after one.
Another Thornquist double set-in motion a momentum-shifting, five-run third that saw four batters collect hits as the Roadrunners stole back the advantage and ignited a three-inning span that saw 10 runs cross home plate for the 11-4 lead at the midway marker.
The Islanders tacked on two more in the same span, as
Tristan Welch hit a leadoff single and
Diego Johnson added a double before
Itchy Burts' groundout brought Welch home in the fourth. An inning later,
Justin Taylor recorded the Islanders' second three-bagger on the night and completed the base trip after a UTSA error to make it a six-run, 11-4 deficit that proved insurmountable for the home club to overcome.
Islander pitching duo
JT Moeller and
Nick Urbantke combined for 4.1 shutdown innings of relief, posting no runs and scattering four hits to halt the Roadrunners' offensive barrage.
Ryan provided another spark in the seventh, as a left-field double followed by a groundout and sacrifice fly helped bring home the Islanders final scoreboard tally of the series opener.
The Islanders matched UTSA in the hits column with 11, but failed to capitalize in key moments and stranding 14 baserunners.
Both squads resume the three-game series tomorrow (March 20) at 1 p.m. at Chapman Field.
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