SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA Baseball team is set to host Tarleton State to open up the 2023 season on Friday at Roadrunner Field. Opening day first pitch is set for 6 p.m. (CT) on Friday, while Saturday's start time is 2 p.m. and the series finale is Sunday at 1 p.m.
All three games will be free to watch on CUSA.tv. Bill Schoening will be on play-by-play for the series opener, while Mike Capps will be calling the final two games of the series.
FUEL TO THE FIVE
The Roadrunners were picked to finish fifth in the Conference USA, after a phenomenal season in 2022 in which UTSA broke multiple program records and advanced to the C-USA Championship game. Defending champion Louisiana Tech was voted to finish first. C-USA newcomer Dallas Baptist was picked to finish second, followed by Florida Atlantic at third and Charlotte at fourth.
DON'T STOP THEM NOW
Daniel Shafer and Simon Miller were both named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List. Daniel Shafer was UTSA's main closer/high-leverage reliever in 2022. The Willis, Texas, native went 3-1 in 16 appearances for the Roadrunners, before a season-ending injury in April. In 27.1 innings pitched, he struck out 38 batters while walking just 13. Of C-USA returners, Shafer had the third-most saves (5) in the conference last season.
Simon Miller posted a 4-3 record (second-most wins on the team) through 18 appearances in relief. In 36.0 innings, he allowed just 18 runs on 24 hits, while striking out 47 batters in that span. The Canton, Texas, native became the Roadrunners' go-to closer/high-leverage pitcher in the second half of the season when injuries affected the bullpen. Miller helped UTSA to an 8-3 record in his final 11 appearances.
PRESEASON 'RUNNERS
A conference-best four Roadrunners earned preseason honors, tied with Charlotte as the only two teams with four preseason honorees. The four honorees are Leyton Barry, Luke Malone, Daniel Shafer and Simon Miller.
Leyton Barry led the Roadrunners with an impressive .343 batting average in 2022, his second straight season leading UTSA in batting average. The Houston, Texas, made 53 starts in 56 games played, playing at second base and shortstop. He totaled 49 runs and 38 RBI with 79 hits. Barry was the difference maker in UTSA's upset over No. 2 Stanford as he cranked out the walk-off hit to win the game. He notched 24 multi-hit games, including 12 games in which he had at least three hits.
Luke Malone was voted to the All-Tournament Team and All-Conference First Team last season after a breakout season as UTSA's Friday night ace. With an ERA of 2.61 and nine wins last season, Malone led the C-USA in 2022 amongst returning players. His nine wins was also the second-most in a single season in UTSA program history. Established himself as the Roadrunners' Friday night starter, earning 11 starts in 19 appearances while collecting a 9-3 record and two saves. The Round Rock, Texas, native led the team with 87.2 innings pitched, allowing only 35 runs on 81 hits throughout the 2022 campaign. Amongst returning players in the C-USA, Malone owns the second-best opponent batting average (.240).
SCOUTING THE TEXANS
Tarleton State begins its third year as a Division I program, after beginning the transition in 2020. The Texans ended the 2022 season with a 17-36 overall record, going 10-20 in WAC play. Although the Texans lost their top two offensive forces in Kemuel Thomas-Rivera and London Green, the team has some returning veteran experience in Alec Williams and Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo. Tarleton's roster has 23 newcomers, including 17 transfers and six freshmen.
SERIES HISTORY VS TARLETON
The Roadrunners lead the all-time series by 2-1 over the Tarleton Texans. UTSA and Tarleton opened the 2022 season against each other in Stephenville, Texas, last season. The Roadrunners won the first two games of the series by 21-5 and 12-8, respectively. Tarleton won the last game, 12-1.
SUCCESS IN SUMMER LEAGUES
Cape Cod League
Luke Malone – Falmouth Commodores – The UTSA ace was a late add for the Commodores in the Cape Cod League but it didn't take long for Malone to make an impact. In just two appearances, Malone has earned two wins in the famed Cape Cod League. Malone started his summer campaign with a two-inning outing on July 14 where he allowed one hit and one run, picking up his first win. Three days later he was back on the mound for the Commodores where he pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and one run before picking up his second win of the summer.
Texas Collegiate League
Fischer Kingsbery – Seguin River Monsters – Owns an 0-1 record over two appearances in the month of July for Seguin. Kingsberry owns a 3.37 ERA over eight innings pitched where he's allowed just three runs on five hits while striking out seven.
Braylon Owens – Victoria Generals – Is 3-1 over a month's play with the Generals. In six appearances, Owens has pitched 20 innings where he has struck out 18 batters. Owens boasts a 4.05 ERA and has walked just nine batters. Had his best outing on July 19 when he went five innings and struck out six, allowing only one run on three hits.
Garrett Poston – Acadiana Cane Cutters – Played in four games with the Cane Cutters where he drew two walks and smacked a single.
Isaiah Walker – Victoria Generals – Ended his summer with a .306 batting average over 17 games. His 22 hits were the fifth most on the team and his 12 stolen bases were the third most. Totaled seven RBI in the summer and scored 16 runs.
Jay Ward – Acadiana Cane Cutters – Totes a 1-0 record across 17 appearances on the summer. Has fanned 28 batters over 23.2 innings pitched, allowing just 18 hits. In his 23.2 innings, he possesses a 2.28 ERA, the lowest of any UTSA pitcher in the summer circuit.
California Collegiate League
Ryan Beaird – San Luis Obispo Blues – Has appeared in four games over the past two months for the Blues. Over 9.1 innings, Beaird totes a 4.82 ERA and has allowed nine hits. Had his best outing on July 7 when he went 4.2 scoreless innings and struck out seven batters. Over his four games, Beaird has punched out 16 batters.
Garrett Brooks – San Luis Obispo Blues – Is a constant bat for the Blues, having appeared in 24 games this summer. After redshirting this past season, Brooks is batting .266 in the CCL, scoring 13 runs on 21 hits. Brooks has also drawn 16 walks to pair with six RBI.
Matt King – Walnut Creek Crawdads – Has appeared in 22 games for the Crawdads, batting .250 in 72 at-bats. Over his two months of play, King has scored 15 runs on 18 hits and has stolen four bases. King has also smashed three home runs, tallied 11 RBI and drawn 19 walks.
ON DECK
The Roadrunners are set to host the Houston Cougars in their first midweek matchup of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 22. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. (CT) at Roadrunner Field.
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