Great series for UTSA. Kevin with more awesome coverage.
UTSA baseball goes on the road to sweep Marshall to start conference play. The Roadrunners improve to 12-7 overall (3-0 CUSA)
Game 1: The Friday game was moved up to an 8am start due to weather but UTSA was able to shut out Marshall thanks to an impressive pitching performance from Brock Hartson who went 8.1 innings (his longest of the year), allowed only 4 hits and earned his first decision of the year. UTSA scored both of their deciding runs in the 3rd inning when Logan Kinder scored on a wild pitch and Geonte Jackson singled up the middle to score Jesse Baker (2-0) Logan Onda came in the 9th to earn his first save of the season.
Final score: UTSA 2, Marshall 0
Brock Hartson W (1-0)
Logan Onda S (1)
Notable Stats:
Hartson: 8.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Bowles: 3-4
Jackson: 1-4, 1 RBI
Kinder: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R
Baker: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R
Game 2: The Saturday contest was really a stalemate until the 4th inning. Nolan Trabanino really needed to come out and show that he was improving. Through the first 3 innings, Trabanino looked solid and only allowed 2 hits but only went 4 total innings. UTSA stuck first in the top of the fourth on a Matt Hilston solo HR (1-0) Trabanino allowed 2 unearned runs in the 4th thanks to an error and Marshall took the lead in the B4 (1-2) UTSA answered back in the 5th inning when Jesse Baker knocked a solo HR to tie the game (2-2). The Roadrunners tacked on 3 more runs in the inning on a RBI double by Trent Bowles, a RBI single by CJ Pickering and an error that allowed Bormann to score (5-2). The 6th inning went just as well for UTSA batters when Trent Bowles recorded his 2nd double of the game this time earning 2 RBIs. CJ Pickering also had a repeat RBI performance this time with a RBI double. (8-3) Kevin Markham was able to break his slump in the top of the ninth when a double scored 2 more runs (10-5) Jeremy Filipek had 2 solid innings to end the game and earn his 2nd save. He only surrendered 1 hit
Final Score: UTSA 10, Marshall 5
Logan Onda W (2-0)
Jeremy Filipek S (2)
Notable Stats:
Trabanino: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Filipek: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Pickering: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Bowles: 2-4, 3 RBIs
Hilston: 2-2, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 2 BB
Game 3: The sweep was on the line and UTSA baseball blasted Marshall with everything they had in a thrilling game. Pitching wise, this game was a tale of two halves. Cody Brannon struggled early on and was pulled quickly in the 2nd inning after allowing 5 hits and 4 earned runs. The freshman Chance Kirby struggled too giving up four hits, 2 runs (1 earned) in 1 inning. Logan Onda was once again called upon be he too was credited for an ER and a hit in 0.2 IP. Finally after giving up a team total 10 hits, Coach Lawler went to Aaron Burns. Burns was unhittable for 4 innings and closed down the game only allowing 4 total hits and 1 run (unearned). Hitting wise, UTSA was on fire and had a team high 15 hits. The 2nd inning was electric. Trent Bowles continued his hot hitting with a RBI single. Brookover (who made the start) knocked a 2 run double and Jesse Baker followed with a 3 run blast for a 6 run inning surge (6-0) Marshall would eventually chip away at the lead until eventually tying the game at 7. UTSA was able to retake the lead in the 6th thanks to a 2 RBI double by Kevin Markham and RBI sac fly from Jesse Baker. (10-7) UTSA was not done offensively. Jesse Baker continued his impressive game with a 2 RBI double in the 8th inning. Jackson had a RBI single and Matt Hilston drilled a 3 run HR late (16-7)
Final score: UTSA 16, Marshall 8
Aaron Burns W (3-1)
Notable Stats:
Burns: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Baker: 2-5, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
Hilston: 2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
Brookover: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Markham: 2-6, 2 RBIs
Analysis: This was a fantastic CUSA opening series sweep for UTSA especially when you consider all the adversity this team has had to face. With the all of the suspensions and injuries and starting pitching woes, UTSA baseball was able to persevere and pull out a sweep. You have to give credit to the great team baseball this weekend. When UTSA hitting was not there we saw an impressive pitching performance from Brock Hartson. When we saw both Trabanino and Brannon struggle, UTSA was able to rely on their bats and some late heroics from guys like Aaron Burns and Jeremy Filipek. If this UTSA program can find a way to be consistent on both sides of the ball and reduce errors, they will be a CUSA contender. To be honest, they really do not have a choice especially when the tougher conference teams are nearing their way on the schedule.
Pitching - It's a mixed bag really. UTSA really needs their starters to pitch well and we just haven't seen it consistently. Trabanino was okay but I'm not sure if he has shown enough to Coach Marshall and Lawler to give him another shot. Brannon really surprised me on Sunday. He has been pretty good over the year, but that outing definitely creates more questions than answers. Brannon's ERA shot up to 5.82 after is one inning of work. Aaron Burns was remarkable on Sunday and continues to prove that he is a legitimate potential starter. Perhaps Burns will see himself in the rotation in upcoming series. The one pitcher who without question has improved has been Brock Hartson. Hartson continues to build his confidence from start to start. The Friday game was his best and improved him to 1-0 and 3.34 ERA. Brock also leads all UTSA pitchers in strikeouts by double digits (26). The bullpen is still good and UTSA fans should feel confident that the guys in the pen will collectively continue to pitch well all season. Chance Kirby was touched up a bit on Sunday but he is only a freshman and will make mistakes. Shrewcraft, Onda, Filipek and Herbelin are still pitching well overall despite a few stumbles this series. If Burns remains a bullpen arm, UTSA only gets stronger in this department.
Hitting - It's great to see a leader like Jesse Baker bounce back and have a series like he did. Baker has steadily been improving but this series was the first where he really shined. Jesse went 5-12 this series but in clutch situations he was phenomenal with 7 RBIs and 2 HRs. Matt Hilston had a 0-4 day in game 1 vs Marshall but bounced back on Saturday and Sunday in huge way. In the remaining 2 games, Hilston went 4-6 with 4 RBIs, 2 HRs, 5 R and 2 BB. He now leads the team in homeruns with three. I really like the play from Trent Bowles. I gave him some big praise before the series and he delivered once again. Bowles went 6-13 with 4 RBIs and 4 runs including 2 more doubles to give him a team high (10). Another guy to watch will be Ben Brookover. We saw Ben in limited action on Saturday but he had his best game of the year when he had the chance to start on Sunday. Brookover went 3-4 with 2 RBIs, 3 R and 1 BB. Hopefully this game will give him some momentum heading into the weekend. One concern I have is the play from Kevin Markham. Markham was off to one of the fastest starts I have ever seen from a UTSA player before his injury. Since he has returned he has really struggled. In this series he was finally able to get back on the hitting wagon (3-18, 4 RBIs, 1 R) but he is having issues getting on base due to too many strikeouts. Perhaps we could see Markham move to a RBI spot in the lineup in upcoming games? Finally, UTSA was successful at the plate for the majority of the series. On Sunday, every player was able to record a hit and only 2 players failed to record at least one RBI. Impressive, but UTSA will still need one of their better bats back in Tyler Straub. Not only does Straub represent strength in hitting, but his availability gives the UTSA flexibility in moving players around in the infield and outfield. Hopefully, UTSA fans will be able to welcome back Straub soon enough
Team Leaders:
Batting Average - Tyler Straub (.359) - Did not play
Hits - Markham, Straub, Jackson (23)
RBIs - John Bormann (12)
Walks - Hilston (13)
ERA (min 10 IP) - Onda 1.17, Burns 1.65
RPI watch: As of Sunday night, UTSA has moved to 89th in RPI.
Next up is Texas State in San Marcos on Tuesday March 17th. UTSA follows with a home series vs Western Kentucky
UTSA baseball goes on the road to sweep Marshall to start conference play. The Roadrunners improve to 12-7 overall (3-0 CUSA)
Game 1: The Friday game was moved up to an 8am start due to weather but UTSA was able to shut out Marshall thanks to an impressive pitching performance from Brock Hartson who went 8.1 innings (his longest of the year), allowed only 4 hits and earned his first decision of the year. UTSA scored both of their deciding runs in the 3rd inning when Logan Kinder scored on a wild pitch and Geonte Jackson singled up the middle to score Jesse Baker (2-0) Logan Onda came in the 9th to earn his first save of the season.
Final score: UTSA 2, Marshall 0
Brock Hartson W (1-0)
Logan Onda S (1)
Notable Stats:
Hartson: 8.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Bowles: 3-4
Jackson: 1-4, 1 RBI
Kinder: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R
Baker: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R
Game 2: The Saturday contest was really a stalemate until the 4th inning. Nolan Trabanino really needed to come out and show that he was improving. Through the first 3 innings, Trabanino looked solid and only allowed 2 hits but only went 4 total innings. UTSA stuck first in the top of the fourth on a Matt Hilston solo HR (1-0) Trabanino allowed 2 unearned runs in the 4th thanks to an error and Marshall took the lead in the B4 (1-2) UTSA answered back in the 5th inning when Jesse Baker knocked a solo HR to tie the game (2-2). The Roadrunners tacked on 3 more runs in the inning on a RBI double by Trent Bowles, a RBI single by CJ Pickering and an error that allowed Bormann to score (5-2). The 6th inning went just as well for UTSA batters when Trent Bowles recorded his 2nd double of the game this time earning 2 RBIs. CJ Pickering also had a repeat RBI performance this time with a RBI double. (8-3) Kevin Markham was able to break his slump in the top of the ninth when a double scored 2 more runs (10-5) Jeremy Filipek had 2 solid innings to end the game and earn his 2nd save. He only surrendered 1 hit
Final Score: UTSA 10, Marshall 5
Logan Onda W (2-0)
Jeremy Filipek S (2)
Notable Stats:
Trabanino: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Filipek: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Pickering: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Bowles: 2-4, 3 RBIs
Hilston: 2-2, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 2 BB
Game 3: The sweep was on the line and UTSA baseball blasted Marshall with everything they had in a thrilling game. Pitching wise, this game was a tale of two halves. Cody Brannon struggled early on and was pulled quickly in the 2nd inning after allowing 5 hits and 4 earned runs. The freshman Chance Kirby struggled too giving up four hits, 2 runs (1 earned) in 1 inning. Logan Onda was once again called upon be he too was credited for an ER and a hit in 0.2 IP. Finally after giving up a team total 10 hits, Coach Lawler went to Aaron Burns. Burns was unhittable for 4 innings and closed down the game only allowing 4 total hits and 1 run (unearned). Hitting wise, UTSA was on fire and had a team high 15 hits. The 2nd inning was electric. Trent Bowles continued his hot hitting with a RBI single. Brookover (who made the start) knocked a 2 run double and Jesse Baker followed with a 3 run blast for a 6 run inning surge (6-0) Marshall would eventually chip away at the lead until eventually tying the game at 7. UTSA was able to retake the lead in the 6th thanks to a 2 RBI double by Kevin Markham and RBI sac fly from Jesse Baker. (10-7) UTSA was not done offensively. Jesse Baker continued his impressive game with a 2 RBI double in the 8th inning. Jackson had a RBI single and Matt Hilston drilled a 3 run HR late (16-7)
Final score: UTSA 16, Marshall 8
Aaron Burns W (3-1)
Notable Stats:
Burns: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Baker: 2-5, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
Hilston: 2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
Brookover: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Markham: 2-6, 2 RBIs
Analysis: This was a fantastic CUSA opening series sweep for UTSA especially when you consider all the adversity this team has had to face. With the all of the suspensions and injuries and starting pitching woes, UTSA baseball was able to persevere and pull out a sweep. You have to give credit to the great team baseball this weekend. When UTSA hitting was not there we saw an impressive pitching performance from Brock Hartson. When we saw both Trabanino and Brannon struggle, UTSA was able to rely on their bats and some late heroics from guys like Aaron Burns and Jeremy Filipek. If this UTSA program can find a way to be consistent on both sides of the ball and reduce errors, they will be a CUSA contender. To be honest, they really do not have a choice especially when the tougher conference teams are nearing their way on the schedule.
Pitching - It's a mixed bag really. UTSA really needs their starters to pitch well and we just haven't seen it consistently. Trabanino was okay but I'm not sure if he has shown enough to Coach Marshall and Lawler to give him another shot. Brannon really surprised me on Sunday. He has been pretty good over the year, but that outing definitely creates more questions than answers. Brannon's ERA shot up to 5.82 after is one inning of work. Aaron Burns was remarkable on Sunday and continues to prove that he is a legitimate potential starter. Perhaps Burns will see himself in the rotation in upcoming series. The one pitcher who without question has improved has been Brock Hartson. Hartson continues to build his confidence from start to start. The Friday game was his best and improved him to 1-0 and 3.34 ERA. Brock also leads all UTSA pitchers in strikeouts by double digits (26). The bullpen is still good and UTSA fans should feel confident that the guys in the pen will collectively continue to pitch well all season. Chance Kirby was touched up a bit on Sunday but he is only a freshman and will make mistakes. Shrewcraft, Onda, Filipek and Herbelin are still pitching well overall despite a few stumbles this series. If Burns remains a bullpen arm, UTSA only gets stronger in this department.
Hitting - It's great to see a leader like Jesse Baker bounce back and have a series like he did. Baker has steadily been improving but this series was the first where he really shined. Jesse went 5-12 this series but in clutch situations he was phenomenal with 7 RBIs and 2 HRs. Matt Hilston had a 0-4 day in game 1 vs Marshall but bounced back on Saturday and Sunday in huge way. In the remaining 2 games, Hilston went 4-6 with 4 RBIs, 2 HRs, 5 R and 2 BB. He now leads the team in homeruns with three. I really like the play from Trent Bowles. I gave him some big praise before the series and he delivered once again. Bowles went 6-13 with 4 RBIs and 4 runs including 2 more doubles to give him a team high (10). Another guy to watch will be Ben Brookover. We saw Ben in limited action on Saturday but he had his best game of the year when he had the chance to start on Sunday. Brookover went 3-4 with 2 RBIs, 3 R and 1 BB. Hopefully this game will give him some momentum heading into the weekend. One concern I have is the play from Kevin Markham. Markham was off to one of the fastest starts I have ever seen from a UTSA player before his injury. Since he has returned he has really struggled. In this series he was finally able to get back on the hitting wagon (3-18, 4 RBIs, 1 R) but he is having issues getting on base due to too many strikeouts. Perhaps we could see Markham move to a RBI spot in the lineup in upcoming games? Finally, UTSA was successful at the plate for the majority of the series. On Sunday, every player was able to record a hit and only 2 players failed to record at least one RBI. Impressive, but UTSA will still need one of their better bats back in Tyler Straub. Not only does Straub represent strength in hitting, but his availability gives the UTSA flexibility in moving players around in the infield and outfield. Hopefully, UTSA fans will be able to welcome back Straub soon enough
Team Leaders:
Batting Average - Tyler Straub (.359) - Did not play
Hits - Markham, Straub, Jackson (23)
RBIs - John Bormann (12)
Walks - Hilston (13)
ERA (min 10 IP) - Onda 1.17, Burns 1.65
RPI watch: As of Sunday night, UTSA has moved to 89th in RPI.
Next up is Texas State in San Marcos on Tuesday March 17th. UTSA follows with a home series vs Western Kentucky
