Missions’ bats struggle against Frisco

Evan Mendoza drove in the Missions' only run in the fourth inning. The San Antonio Missions lost to the Frisco RoughRiders 7-1 on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Evan Mendoza drove in the Missions’ only run in the fourth inning.
The Frisco RoughRiders beat the San Antonio Missions 7-1 on Wednesday at Wolff Stadium.

Daniel Johnson scored the Missions’ only run in the fourth inning. He led off with a walk, advanced when Tirso Ornelas followed with a walk and came home on a line-drive single by Evan Mendoza.

Korry Howell, a top San Diego Padres prospect, had two hits. Howell is 4-of-8 in the first two games of the Missions’ six-game homestand.

San Antonio starting pitcher Efrain Contreras left the game with two outs in the second inning after giving up five walks to the eight batters he faced. He allowed two runs on two hits with no strikeouts.

The Missions used four relievers. The last two, Nick Hernandez and Jose Quezada, pitched two scoreless innings each. Hernandez struck out six batters and Quezada struck out three.

Korry Howell had two hits Wednesday. The San Antonio Missions lost to the Frisco RoughRiders 7-1 on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Korry Howell had two hits Wednesday.

More photos from Missions’ 2023 home opener

San Antonio Missions third baseman Connor Hollis in Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
San Antonio Missions third baseman Connor Hollis in Missions’ 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
The San Antonio Missions gave local fans plenty to cheer about in their first home game of the 2023 Texas League season, a 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday at Wolff Stadium.

Henry the Puffy Taco in Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
It wouldn’t be Missions baseball without Henry the Puffy Taco.

Mendoza, Ornelas homer as Missions celebrate win in home opener against Frisco

Evan Mendoza, Tirso Ornelas hit first two homers of San Antonio’s season

Evan Mendoza hits a second-inning home run in the San Antonio Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Evan Mendoza hits a second-inning home run in the Missions’ victory over Frisco.
Tirso Ornelas hits a third-inning home run in the San Antonio Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Tirso Ornelas hits a third-inning home run that gave the Missions a 2-0 lead.

Tuesday night at Wolff Stadium began with celebrations and lots of VIPs.

In the end it came down to the time honored baseball skills of hitting, fielding and pitching.

The San Antonio Missions blasted their first two home runs of the season and six pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Frisco Rough Riders in the Missions’ home opener.

Evan Mendoza homered in the second inning, the Missions’ first jack of the season, for a 1-0 lead that San Antonio never gave up. Tirso Ornelas added another solo homer in the third inning.

Daniel Johnson and Korry Howell drove in the other two runs for the Missions, who had seven hits on the night.

Nolan Watson started on the mound, going three full scoreless innings and allowing one hit and two walks with two strikeouts.

Seth Mayberry followed Watson and went one inning with no hits or walks and one strikeout. Mayberry was credited with his first win of the season.

Justin Lopez and Henry Henry both pitched one inning in relief, Lake Bachar went 1 2/3 and Jared Koenig pitched the final 1 1/3 innings.

The six-game series between the Missions and RoughRiders continues Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Wolff Stadium.

Nolan Watson was the starting pitcher in the San Antonio Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Nolan Watson was the starting pitcher in the Missions’ victory.
Seth Mayberry got the win in relief in the San Antonio Missions' 4-0 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Seth Mayberry got the win in relief.

Korry Howell of the San Antonio Missions – photo gallery

Korry Howell playing for the San Antonio Missions in an exhibition game against Monclova of the Mexican league on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Korry Howell playing for the Missions in an exhibition game against Monclova of the Mexican league on April 1, 2023
Korry Howell played in 48 games for the San Antonio Missions last summer. He batted .253 with 20 RBIs and six home runs in an injury-shortened season.

Howell hit 16 home runs and stole 24 bases between High A and Double-A in 2021.

The 24-year-old outfielder enters this season as the No. 13 prospect in the San Diego Padres’ system, according to MLB.com. He can also play infield and saw action at six different positions in the summer of 2021.

Howell was a 12th-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. He came to the Padres organization in the April 2022 trade that sent catcher Victor Caratini to the Brewers.

The Missions play their 2023 season home opener at Wolff Stadium on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against the Frisco Rough Riders.

Missions’ opening-day roster catchers: Seagle, Fernandez, De La Cruz, Kerner

San Antonio Missions catcher Chandler Seagle. - photo by Joe Alexander
San Antonio Missions catcher Chandler Seagle.
The San Antonio Missions open the season tonight with two catchers who are familiar faces at Wolff Stadium.

Chandler Seagle and Juan Fernandez both played with the Missions the last two seasons. Fernandez also spent part of last season with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

Adam Kerner was in the San Diego Padres organization last season and split time between El Paso and Class A Fort Wayne.

Michael De La Cruz is the oldest of the Missions’ catchers at 29. He was signed by the Padres organization this offseason as a free agent.

San Antonio Missions catcher Juan Fernandez. - photo by Joe Alexander
San Antonio Missions catcher Juan Fernandez.
San Antonio Missions catcher Adam Kerner. - photo by Joe Alexander
San Antonio Missions catcher Adam Kerner.
San Antonio Missions catcher Michael De Cruz. - photo by Joe Alexander
San Antonio Missions catcher Michael De La Cruz.

Notes

The Missions open the season on the road tonight against the Tulsa Drillers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Efrain Contreras is listed as the starting pitcher for the Missions.

Of the players on the Missions’ opening-day roster, everyone saw action either Saturday or Sunday or both in the team’s exhibition games against Monclova of the Mexican League. San Antonio position players who didn’t start Saturday but either entered later in the game or played Sunday were Outfielder Jorge Ona, infielder Ripken Reyes and catchers Juan Fernandez, Michael De La Cruz and Adam Kerner.

Missions 2023 pitchers – photo gallery

San Antonio Missions pitchers watch starter Jackson Wolff finish up his pregame warmups at Wolff Stadium on Sunday, April 2, 2023. - photo by Joe Alexander
Missions pitchers watch starter Jackson Wolff finish up his pregame warmups at Wolff Stadium on Sunday.
All 16 members of the San Antonio Missions pitching staff saw action over the weekend at Wolff Stadium.

The Missions warmed up for the 2023 season by playing two exhibion games against Monclova of the Mexican league on Saturday and Sunday.

The Missions open the season on the road Thursday in Tulsa.

Efrain Contreras of the San Antonio Missions and San Diego Padres organization pitching against Monclova of the Mexican league in an exhibition game on Saturday, May 1, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Efrain Contreras got the start for the Missions in Saturday’s exhibition against Monclova.

Missions drop exhibition to Monclova in tuneup for regular season

Jackson Wolf is the No. 16 prospect in the San Diego Padres system, according to MLB.com. He pitched the first inning for the San Antonio Missions in an exhibition against Monclova on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Jackson Wolf is the No. 16 prospect in the San Diego Padres system, according to MLB.com. He pitched the first inning for the Missions on Sunday

The San Antonio Missions used their Saturday and Sunday exhibition games against Monclova of the Mexican league to acclimate their players to Wolff Stadium with the Texas League season just days away.

With Sunday’s game scheduled to go 9 1/2 innings, Monclova scored twice in the top of the 10th to win 3-2.

Jackson Wolf started on the mound for the Missions and went one inning. He is the top San Diego Padres pitching prospect on the San Antonio roster and is expected to be part of the Missions’ starting rotation.

The Missions will open the season on Thursday night on the road against Tulsa. Their first game in San Antonio will be Tuesday, April 11.

Connor Hollis played in 103 games for the Missions last season and batted .333 with nine home runs and 59 RBIs. - photo by Joe Alexander
Infielder Connor Hollis played in 103 games for the Missions last season and batted .333 with nine home runs and 59 RBIs.
Daniel Johnson tracking down a fly ball in the outfield for the San Antonio Missions against Monclova in an exhibition on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. Johnson was picked in the fifth round of the 2016 draft by the Washington Nationals and was signed by the San Diego Padres in this offseason as a free agent. - photo by Joe Alexander
Outfielder Daniel Johnson was picked in the fifth round of the 2016 draft by the Washington Nationals and was signed by the San Diego Padres in this offseason as a free agent.
Nolan Watson pitching for the San Antonio Missions against Monclova in an exhibition on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. Watson is a former first-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals and was signed by the San Diego Padres organization for this season after becoming a free agent. - photo by Joe Alexander
Pitcher Nolan Watson is a former first-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals and was signed by the San Diego Padres organization for this season after becoming a free agent.ns

Missions show power in first exhibition against Monclova

San Antonio Missions starting pitcher Efrain Contreras. The San Antonio Missions recorded a 9-4 exhibition victory over the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican league on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Missions starting pitcher Efrain Contreras. San Antonio recorded a 9-4 exhibition victory over Monclova of the Mexican league on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
The 2023 San Antonio Missions took the field at Wolff Stadium for the first time Saturday and showed off their hitting.

The Missions piled up 13 hits in a 9-4 exhibition victory over the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican league.

Right fielder Tirso Ornelas had a home run and two-run double for the Missions. Left fielder Daniel Johnson also homered.

The Missions were wearing their Flying Chanclas de San Antonio uniforms.

The Missions and Monclova play again Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Wolff Stadium.

Missions’ batting order

Sammy Diaz home run lifts UTSA over Western Kentucky

Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run.UTSA beat Western Kentucky 3-2 in Conference USA baseball on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field.
Sammy Diaz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run in a 3-2 victory over Western Kentucky on Friday at Roadrunner Field.

The three-game Conference USA series continues Saturday and Sunday.

UTSA took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first inning on a sac fly by Antonio Valdez and second inning on an RBI double by Matt King. Western Kentucky tied it at 2-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth.

Diaz broke the tie when his homer cleare d the 405-foot mark on the batter’s eye in center field.

Roadrunners starting pitcher Luke Malone got the win to raise his record to 3-2. He went 7.0 innings and allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Simon Miller pitched the last two scoreless innings to pick up his third save

UTSA is 21-6 on the season and 6-1 in conference.

Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run. UTSA beat Western Kentucky 3-2 in Conference USA baseball on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz watches his home run sail out over center field.
Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run. UTSA beat Western Kentucky 3-2 in Conference USA baseball on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz circles the bases after hitting his fourth-inning home run.
Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run. UTSA beat Western Kentucky 3-2 in Conference USA baseball on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz celebrates at home plate after hitting his fourth-inning home run.
Sammy Diaz (44) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UTSA the go-ahead run. UTSA beat Western Kentucky 3-2 in Conference USA baseball on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Roadrunner Field. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sammy Diaz does the BOOM celebration with UTSA teammates after hitting his fourth-inning home run.

2023 San Antonio Missions break camp roster

Henry Henry pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless innings of relief for the San Antonio Missions on Sunday night at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Henry Henry pitching for the San Antonio Missions during the 2021 season at at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander

Updated March 28, 2023

PITCHERS (16)

Player B-T HT WT AGE DOB Birthplace Acquired 2022 club(s)

Lake Bachar R-R 6-2 219 27 6-3-95 Winfield, Illinois 2016 MLB Draft – 5th Round San Antonio

Edwuin Bencomo R-R 6-2 205 23 4-14-99 Rio Chico, Venezuela Signed as a free agent – 2016 San Antonio/Fort Wayne

Efrain Contreras R-R 5-10 225 23 1-2-00 Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Signed as a free agent – 2022 Fort Wayne

Jose Espada R-R 6-0 170 26 2-22-97 Ponce, Puerto Rico Signed as a free agent – 2022 Fort Wayne

Brian Gonzalez R-L 6-3 230 27 10-25-95 Miramar, Florida Signed as a free agent – 2022 Harrisburg

Henry Henry R-R 6-4 215 24 12-17-98 San Cristobal, Dominican Republic Signed as a free agent – 2015 San Antonio

Nick Hernandez R-R 6-1 212 28 12-30-94 Missouri City, Texas Signed as a free agent – 2023 Sugar Land/Corpus Christi

Jared Koenig R-L 6-5 235 29 1-24-94 Aptos, California Signed as a free agent – 2023 OAKLAND/Las Vegas

Kevin Kopps R-R 6-0 200 26 3-2-97 Houston, Texas 2021 MLB Draft – 3rd Round

Justin Lopez S-R 6-2 195 22 5-9-00 Bobare, Venezuela Signed as a free agent – 2016 Lake Elsinore/ACL Padres

Seth Mayberry R-R 6-3 195 22 6-22-00 Petersburg, Virgina 2018 MLB Draft – 39th Round San Antonio/Fort Wayne

CD Pelham R-L 6-6 238 28 2-21-95 Lancaster, South Carolina Signed as a free agent – 2023 Iowa/Tennessee

Jose Quezada R-R 5-9 165 27 9-7-95 Chihuahua, Mexico 2018 MLB Draft – 10th Round El Paso/San Antonio

Duncan Snider R-R 6-7 235 25 10-10-97 Muscatine, Iowa Signed as a free agent – 2022 Lake Elsinore

Nolan Watson R-R 6-2 195 26 1-25-97 Indianapolis, Indiana Signed as a free agent – 2022 San Antonio

Jackson Wolf L-L 6-7 205 23 4-22-99 Gahanna, Ohio 2021 MLB Draft – 4th Round San Antonio/Fort Wayne

CATCHERS

Michael De La Cruz S-R 5-9 190 29 5-15-93 Tamboril, Dominican Republic Signed as a free agent – 2023 Toledo/Erie/GCL Tigers

Juan Fernandez R-R 5-11 205 24 3-7-99 Valencia, Venezuela Signed as a free agent – 2016 El Paso/San Antonio

Adam Kerner R-R 5-10 180 24 7-31-98 Tarzana, California Signed as a free agent – 2020 El Paso/Fort Wayne

Chandler Seagle R-R 6-0 190 26 5-23-96 New Bern, North Carolina 2017 MLB Draft – 30th Round San Antonio

INFIELDERS

Luis Aviles Jr.$ R-R 6-2 210 28 3-16-95 Miami, Florida Signed as a free agent – 2023 Jacksonville/Pensacola

Brantley Bell R-R 6-2 185 28 11-16-94 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Signed as a free agent – 2022 Staten Island/Tri-City

Pedro Castellanos R-R 6-3 244 25 12-11-97 Carora, Venezuela Signed as a free agent – 2023 Worcester/Portland CAS-tee-Yahn-ohs

Connor Hollis R-R 5-10 170 28 11-18-94 Arlington, Texas Signed as a free agent – 2022 El Paso/San Antonio

Evan Mendoza R-R 6-0 205 26 6-28-96 Sarasota, Florida Claimed off Waivers – 2022 Memphis

OUTFIELDERS

Korry Howell R-R 6-1 180 24 9-1-98 Chicago, Illinois Via Trade with MIL – 2022 San Antonio

Daniel Johnson L-L 5-9 200 27 7-11-95 Vallejo, California Signed as a free agent – 2023 ROC/SYR/COL/HBG/SLU/NAT

Jorge Ona R-R 6-0 235 26 12-31-96 Havana, Cuba Signed as a free agent – 2016 San Antonio OWN-yuh

Tirso Ornelas L-R 6-3 200 23 3-11-00 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico Signed as a free agent – 2017 El Paso/San Antonio

Ripken Reyes S-R 5-10 185 25 4-1-97 Bremerton, Washington 2019 MLB Draft – 30th Round San Antonio/Fort Wayne

STAFF

Manager – 30 Luke Montz
Pitching Coach – 20 Jeff Andrews
Hitting Coach – 44 Pat O’Sullivan
Bench Coach – Felipe Blanco
Athletic Trainer – David Bryan

SYMBOL KEY

* = Injured List
^ = ML Rehab
$ = 40 Man Roster
% = Development List
+ = Temporarily Inactive
! = Covid List