UTSA jumped on Rice early in Saturday’s second game for a 12-6 victory and split of their Conference USA doubleheader at Roadrunner Field.
UTSA reliever Hunter Mason entered the second game in the third inning and dominated Rice the rest of the way. The senior from Boerne Champion held Rice scoreless over the final 4 2/3 innings to get the win. He allowed one hit with six strikeouts and one walk.
Rice’s first two pitchers struggled in a big way in UTSA’s victory. The Roadrunners scored five runs before recording their first hit. UTSA’s first six batters got on base on three walks and three hit-batters to score three runs. On what should have been the first out of the frame, UTSA scored two more runs on an error to go up 5-1.
UTSA led the rest of the way.
Roadrunners starting pitcher Kobe Jaramillo looked solid the first two innings before being pulled in the third. By avoiding the walks and hit batters that plagued Rice, Jaramillo left the game with UTSA leading by four runs.
Rice won the first game 5-4, rallying late after UTSA built a 4-2 lead.
UTSA and Rice wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Roadrunner Field.