FINAL
UTSA - 9
Texas - 7
Winning Pitcher: Kendall Dove (3-0)
Losing Pitcher: Max Grubbs (6-2)
Save: Braylon Owens (3)
RECAP
Top 1st - LHP Luke Harrison got the start for the Horns and despite hitting a batter with two outs, he faced the minimum in the first as he immediately picked off the runner at 1B.
Bottom 1st - DH Ethan Mendoza led the game off with a single up the middle, followed by a Rylan Galvan single to left field, as the Horns made loud contact against the Roadrunners starting pitcher. Max Belyeu then reached on a fielder's choice, putting runners on 2B and 3B, though not without consternation by the fans as Mendoza took a wide turn around 3B and the UTSA defender made a really heads up play get him out. Kimble Schuessler then brought home the first run of the game on a ground out to 2B, giving the Horns a 1-0 lead. The Horns could not capitalize further as Adrian Rodriguez hit the first pitch he saw out to CF where it was caught.
Top 2nd - Luke did not have a quiet outing in the second frame as he gave up a lead off single through the right side. The next batter then hit a grounder down the 3B line which was stopped by a diving Borba. Unfortunately, Borba's throw to 1B was rushed and skipped away, putting runners on 2B and 3B with no outs. The next batter then hit a fly ball to LF which was caught by Jonah Williams. That allowed the runner to tag and go home to score the first run for UTSA. The runner from 2B tried to make it home as well, but Jonah put a really nice throw to 3B for the second out as the runner slid past the bag. The next batter then hit a ground ball to Casey Borba who made a nice play with his glove for the third out, but the game was tied 1-1.
Bottom 2nd - After Jalin Flores popped up and Will Gasparino grounded out, Jonah Williams hit a hard single to CF to get a runner on. Casey Borba then hit a double down the LF line to put runners on 2B and 3B with 2 outs. Ethan Mendoza battled, but would up hitting a deep fly ball to RF for the third out.
Top 3rd - Harrison was back on the mound in the third inning and retired the side in order as he got a ground out, foul out and then struck out UTSA's best hitter, Mason Lytle.
Bottom 3rd - Rylan Galvan led off the game with a walk, followed by Max Belyeu hitting a single through the right side. Kimble Schuessler then hit a single up the middle to load the bases with no outs. Adrian Rodriguez then hit a grounder to 1B but it was bobbled, which only allowed UTSA to get A-Rod at 1B and saw Galvan score from 3B to give the Horns the lead again (2-1). The prompted UTSA to make a call to the bullpen.
Against the new pitcher, Jalin Flores struck out on a fastball that was eye level. Will Gasparino was then hit by a pitch that ran inside to load the bases again. Jonah Williams then came through with a clutch hit to RF that plated two runs to give the Horns a 4-1 lead. Casey Borba then hit a double to LF for the second time in as many at-bats to give the Horns the 5-1 lead. Jonah Williams would come in to score from 3B on a wild pitch to give the Horns the 6-1 lead. Ethan Mendoza was then hit by a pitch and stole 2B to put runners on 2B and 3B for Galvan, but he would up striking out to end the scoring threat.
Top 4th - Harrison was back out for his fourth inning of work and despite giving up a 1 out single, he got a strikeout to end the frame to put up a zero.
Bottom 4th - The Horns were not able to capitalize on a lead off single by Max Belyeu as Kimble Schuessler took an ugly hack at a pitch way outside the zone to strikeout and then Adrian Rodriguez hit into a fielder's choice. The frame came to a close as Jalin Flores struck out swinging.
Top 5th - Harrison was back out for his fifth inning of work but things soon unraveled on the Horns. After the lead off man reached base on an error by Adrian Rodriguez, the runner then advanced to 2B on a passed ball that Galvan should have had. Harrison then walked the next batter to put two men on, still with no outs. Harrison then hit the next batter after losing control of a breaking ball to load the bases with no outs. The next batter for UTSA then hit a single up the middle to plate two runners. The Horns did get a bit of a break as the runner at 2B was not paying close enough attention and got caught in a run down for the first out, but the Horns lead was now just 6-3. The next batter then hit a ball up the middle to put runners on 1B and 3B, still with just one out. That prompted Schlossnagle to turn to the bullpen and bring in Max Grubbs. The first batter Grubbs faced he struck out, but UTSA put on a delayed double steal which saw the runner from 3B sprint home and score before the tag to make it a 6-4 lead by the Horns. The next batter then hit a double to right CF to plate another runner making it a 6-5 lead by the Horns. Grubbs would eventually get the next batter out, but the damage was done, UTSA scored 4 runs in the inning to bring them back to life.
Bottom 5th - UTSA went to the bullpen again and brought in Kendall Dove who had shoved against the Horns in their prior matchup. He quickly got two outs as Will Gasparino flied out to CF and Jonah Williams popped up to 3B. Casey Borba then drew a walk to continue to outstanding night at the plate for the Horns, followed by a single into CF by Ethan Mendoza. The Horns felt like a 2 out rally was in order as Rylan Galvan was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but it was not to be as Max Belyeu struck out swinging on a really good breaking ball.
Top 6th - Max Grubbs was back on the mound for the Horns in the 6th inning and got off to a good start as he got two quick outs via ground out and fly out. Unfortunately, he then gave up a single to the next batter, followed by a walk to put two runners on and prompting Jim Schlossnagle to make a call to the bullpen, bringing in RHP Thomas Burns. The big righty showed off the arm early as he ran his fastball up to 100, the first time he had done so all season, but it was too flat and UTSA jumped on him. They got back to back RBI singles to take the lead 7-6. UTSA then got a fly ball deep to LF which was caught by Jonah who fired to throw to the cut off man, Jalin Flores, who relayed to Galvan at home to get the runner trying to go and prevent another run, but the damage was already done as UTSA now led the ball game 8-6.
Bottom 6th - Kimble Schuessler led the inning off with a walk, prompting another call to the bullpen by UTSA. This time, Hallmark was not playing around and brought in their staff ace to pitch. Adrian Rodriguez drew a walk to put two men on with no outs, but Jalin Flores tried to lay down a bunt and wound up popping it up to the pitcher for the first out. Will Gasparino then struck out swinging, followed by Jonah Williams striking out looking on a pitch he thought was a ball. That combination of events spelled disaster for the Horns as they still trailed 8-6.
Top 7th - Schlossnagle again went to the bullpen and this time brought in LHP Dylan Volantis to try and keep UTSA off the board and give his team a chance. The first batter led off with a single up the middle, but Dylan battled back to strike out the next batter. He then used a breaking ball to get a chopper back to him which he fired to Flores at 2B who relayed to Kimble at 1B for the double play. Why UTSA did not challenge, I don't know as the runner looked safe.
Bottom 7th - Casey Borba led off by flying out to CF, followed by Ethan Mendoza grounding out to 3B. That brought Rylan Galvan to the plate who got a hold of a pitch and crushed it, sending it 405 feet over the LF wall to bring the Horns back within one run. Max Belyeu could not continue the two out magic though as he struck out looking sending the game to the 8th with UTSA leading 8-7.
Top 8th - Dylan Volantis was back on the mound and struck out the side to keep UTSA offense at bay for the moment.
Bottom 8th - Kimble Schuessler led off the inning with a walk again, just like in the 6th, but this time attempted to steal 2B. He was initially ruled out, but after review, the call was over turned and he was ruled safe after his hand got into the bag before the tag did. Adrian Rodriguez then drew a walk to put two men on with no outs. Unfortunately, calamity struck again as Jalin Flores fouled out to 1B, Will Gasparino struck out swinging, and Jonah Williams struck out looking again ending dreams of a comeback.
Top 9th - Volantis was back on the mound for the Horns in the 9th. He got the lead off batter to ground out to Jalin at SS for the first out. The next batter though hit a ball deep to hole at SS which saw it come off Jalin's glove and go into LF, which allowed the runner to make it to 2B instead of being held at 1B. That would prove crucial as the next batter would advance him to 3B on a ground out to Adrian at 2B. The next batter then laid down a perfect bunt that got past Volantis to score the runner from 3B, giving UTSA a crucial insurance run, making it 9-7 Roadrunners.
Bottom 9th - Casey Borba popped up to lead off the frame in the 9th, followed by Ethan Mendoza striking out swinging. Rylan Galvan battled back to draw a walk, but Max Belyeu struck out looking, ending any dreams of a come back as the UTSA team went wild with celebrations.
BIG MOMENT
In the Top 6th inning with the Horns holding a narrow 6-5 lead, Max Grubbs got two quick outs in the inning. Unfortunately he then gave up a single to the left side and then walked a batter. That prompted Jim Schlossnagle to go to Thomas Burns out of the pen as he liked the matchup better. Despite running his fastball up to 100, UTSA was able to back to back to back singles to plate three runs and put the Roadrunners up 8-6. The game was not over at that juncture, but you could feel the dread set in.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
Rylan Galvan - the veteran catcher was 2-3 on the evening with a solo jack that got the Horns back within one run late in the game
TAKEAWAYS
Simply put, the Horns blew this game. They had runners in scoring position in 7 of the 9 innings and struck out to end the inning in each of those innings. The Horns also had a 6-1 lead going into the 5th inning but could not hold onto the lead. Offensively and defensively, the team simply was not good enough tonight. They opened the door for the Roadrunners which gave them new life and when they needed to respond in game, they were late to do so. Overall, the Horns did strike out 12 times on the evening, but the biggest issue wasn't the number of strikeouts, but when they happened. Kudos to UTSA on getting the win, especially being willing to use a weekend starter and their staff ace to help close out the game against the Horns. Despite the Horns getting walked 8 times tonight and having plenty of baserunners, they could not bring enough guys home, nor keep UTSA from getting clutch hits.
NEXT UP:
Horns will take on Kansas State at 2pm later today (Sunday June 1st) in an elimination game. The Horns will need to beat the Wildcats and then beat UTSA twice if they are to advance to the Super Regional.
Post Game Commentary:
- Schloss - congrats to UTSA. Really good team. Super competitve game. Luke got off to a good start. We gave up three free bases to lead off that inning and from that point forward, they got clutch hits, balls found some eyes. Back and forth game. Give them credit for making the pitches. We get to play more baseball. We will be ready to go tomorrow.
Rylan Galvan - confidence in the pitching staff? Yes, ton of confidence. They have been doing it for us all year. Gotta win one pitch at a time. Focus on what is in front of us.
Jonah - what is going through your head? Happy. We get to play more baseball. Tip our caps, shower well, sleep and prepare for tomorrow.
Jonah - two strikeouts? Unfortunate. I thought the pitch was a ball but it was a strike. Its over now so moving on.
Galvan - Tough defense tonight? Things like that will happen. Going to face adversity. All about how you respond. Jalen is a veteran guy and knows what to do. Adrian is new to this. Want him to know we trust him and are behind him.
Galvan - big task ahead? We have lost the battle but not the war yet. Fortunate to keep playing together. Try to keep everyone postive and make sure they flush this game as quickly as possible.
Galvan - out at home? Clean out. I caught the ball and he slid into me.
Jonah - words exchanged? Nope, just playing baseball
Galvan - 6-1 lead, what happened? They responded really well. They punched us in the mouth and it took us time to respond. Things just didnt go our way
Galvan - recover? Get in there and continue to do what I've done all year. Prepared myself for this and I want to be back there.
Schloss -
>> UTSA offense challenges? Has some Kentucky in it and Oklahoma. Pat has been a great coach for a long time. Learned under Coach Graham. He has done a great job of creating a persona for his program. Guys continue to get better and they have weapons. Veteran guys that are playing free. This is not some random team that has gotten hot. They are good. They are good junk yard dogs. They present a lot of problems. They are fearless. They can hit. Good team.
>> Evaluate defense and running? Defense obviously misplayed some balls. Baserunning - feel really good about it. Great play by Hodge [to get Mendoza]. Ball was hit hard, not sure Nolan saw him catch it cleanly. Really good play by Hodge. He was on the team at A&M and he comes from a great baseball team.
>> Don't give up big leads usually? No message about giving up the lead. Playoff baseball. Everyone is fighting for their lives. UTSA isn't going to go down. Can't give them free bases. We gave them life and they took advantage. We have to focus on one pitch at a time. I've been in this position. Have to enjoy playing baseball and see where it goes.
>> Tomorrow for pitching? Ruger will throw first game and get us off to a good start hopefully. We have pitched a lot of guys all year. Had a lot of guys start games. Gonna take a herculean effort from everyone.
>> Adjustments tomorrow? Need some sleep. No gameplan. Get some rest and get them loose tomorrow. Keep them positive. Coaches will be ready to go.
>> Luke go out and Dylan in early? Yes, had to get Volantis in to give us a chance and shut them down. Thought Luke pitched well. Had some balls get through on tough plays. Wanted to change the look and get a different look out there in Grubbs and Burns.
>> Injuries? Mercer is not on roster for tourney. Everyone is banged up in some form. Jonah is out there competing. Ethan dealing with shoulder but able to swing the bat. Healthy as we can be.
>> What did you see from Braylon? Rises the fastball. Good pitcher. Congrats to him, he did great.
>> Grubbs take out? Liked the matchup better to Nathan Hodge. Hodge got Burns by turning on a 97mph fastball. Just wanted to change the look.
