MEMPHIS – On Saturday, UTSA Baseball evened its road series with Memphis at one game apiece ahead of Sunday’s rubber match. The Roadrunners posted 13 hits and earned eight free trips to first base, picking up a 9-2 victory. Conor Myles tossed 6.0 solid innings before his bullpen closed out the final three. With the win, the ‘Runners improved to 34-16 overall with a 16-7 record in American Conference play.
FIRST INNING
Despite a leadoff single from Caden Miller, an ensuing double play sent the visitors down in order on just four pitches. Left-handed pitcher Conor Myles then headed to the mound, making his standard Saturday start. Memphis notched a leadoff single of its own, but a runner’s interference call kept the Tigers off the board into the second.
SECOND INNING
Starting first baseman Cade Sadler reached on a hit before Josh Arquette doubled in his first at-bat of the weekend. Brandon Bishop then tallied his second sacrifice fly of the season, driving in the game’s first run with two away. A Jordan Ballin walk then preceded Aidan Eshelman’s first hit of the day, doubling the lead with a single to right-center. Another walk to Miller loaded the bases ahead of Drew Detlefsen’s two-RBI single through the left side, swelling his side’s advantage to 4-0. A leadoff Tiger home run ensued in the home half, but no further damage was done. Myles exited the inning with two punchouts and a popout still holding a 4-1 edge.
THIRD INNING
Garrett Gruell was hit by a pitch before a groundout and a balk sent the designated hitter to third base. Arquette then came through with his side’s second sacrifice fly of the day, expanding the lead to 5-1. In the bottom of the frame, a leadoff single was driven in on a two-out double, drawing Memphis closer at 5-2.
FIFTH INNING
After both sides struck out twice in the fourth, Andrew Stucky got his side back on base with a leadoff double. Cade Sadler’s center-field knock pushed the catcher 90 feet closer to home before Josh Arquette’s groundout scored Stucky to secure a four-run margin. Meanwhile, another pair of Tigers went down swinging as Myles remained steady on the bump.
SIXTH INNING
A walk and an error were all Garrett Gruell needed to bring Miller home on his first hit of the day. Another walk went unsupported as Myles came out for his final full inning of work. The Australian needed just eight pitches to retire the side in order, still holding a lead of 7-2.
SEVENTH INNING
Immediately following back-to-back strikeouts, Aidan Eshelman reached on his third career double, once again cueing Miller at the top of the order. The right fielder delivered with a hit back up the middle, pulling ahead 8-2 as the shortstop scored with ease. Following an infield single to lead things off for Memphis, Conor Myles headed to the dugout, making way for Sam Simmons. The senior quickly sat down the opposition, striking out the final two batters of the side.
EIGHTH INNING
Cade Sadler’s second walk of the day came just before a hard-hit Diego Diaz infield single. Christian Hallmark then delivered a chopper back up the middle, sending Sadler 180 feet around the basepaths for UTSA’s ninth and final run of the afternoon.
NINTH INNING
For just the third time all day, the visitors went scoreless in the final frame. When the hosts headed back to the plate, Simmons retired one before Blayne Lyne took over. After the sophomore notched a strikeout, Christopher Gutierrez came in to close the affair. A ground ball up the middle went to second for a force out, sealing the game by a final score of 9-2.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- UTSA jumped to 6-2 all-time against Memphis, climbing to 3-2 on the road.
- For the second straight day, UTSA walked one batter, totaling fewer than two for the 11th time this season.
- After stranding 14 runners on Friday, UTSA left 12 on base in Saturday’s win.
- Following a three-hit series opener, the ‘Runners posted 13 in the outing.
- After Saturday’s results, UTSA (16-7) holds a three-game lead on the rest of the American Conference. UAB, East Carolina and Rice all sit at 13-10 with four games left to play.
- Conor Myles wrapped up his day with 6.0 innings pitched, allowing just two runs while striking out seven Tigers.
- Cade Sadler’s two-walk day was his first of 2026, bringing his season total up to six.
- Aidan Eshelman’s seventh-inning double was his third of the spring.
- UTSA posted three doubles on Saturday, matching its Friday hit total.
- For the sixth straight American Conference game, the ‘Runners failed to hit a home run, improving to 4-2 over the span.
- UTSA improved to 12-11 in true road games this season, including a 7-4 mark in American action.
UP NEXT
The series finale between UTSA and Memphis is slated for 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Navy & Orange look to secure their 19th consecutive American series while the Tigers hope to finish the weekend at .500 in league play. All the action from FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via utsa.statbroadcast.com.
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