Nathan Sanchez
Sports Co-Editor
Sunday, April 14 capped off an exciting weekend for the ‘Runner baseball team, as they completed a sweep of the University of Texas, San Antonio Roadrunners. As of Sunday, the ‘Runners share first place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with the University of Texas, Arlington with records of 9-3 within conference play.
The battle of the Roadrunners came to a climactic third game on Sunday, with the ‘Runners sending senior Jonathan Montoya to the mound to complete the sweep against UTSA. Montoya did well against a UTSA team that led the WAC in batting average (.320) and enlisted the individual batting average leader in centerfielder Daniel Rockett (.432). The ‘Runners were quick to neutralize Rockett’s bat, causing him to go 0-14 on the series, knocking his average down to .414.
Montoya went six innings, gave up only two earned runs, and recorded one strikeout. The ‘Runners had trouble getting strikeouts, putting everything into the hands of the ‘Runner defense, which did not disappoint. The ‘Runners recorded only one error, a result of miscommunication between the dugout and the catcher.
Runs were a rare commodity in Sunday’s game for the ‘Runners. Their five runs were scored in the last three innings of the game and all of them came with two outs.
“If you don’t get disappointed and you continue to fight, the game will reward you and give you a second chance,” Head Coach Bill Kernen said on Sunday. If the ‘Runners were looking for a second chance, they got it in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Following a rough first half of the inning, the ‘Runners were down by one run when catcher Frank Martinez stepped up to the plate and delivered a 2-out, 2 RBI walkoff single over the head of the third baseman to end the game.
“It was a hanging slider and I got enough of it,” Martinez said. “I was looking for a fastball, but something in my head told me to swing.”
A late win is still a win for the ‘Runners, as Kernen said after the game.
“There’s no clock, so until someone says it’s the end of the game, you don’t stop fighting,” Kernen said. “This was a big weekend for our offense, to be able to turn around and give some clutch hits.”
The three game series saw great performances from starting pitchers Jeff McKenzie, Scott Brattvet, and Montoya, who collectively pitched 22 innings, struck out 15 batters and only allowed five earned runs in their starts. McKenzie collected his eighth win of the season, the most of any pitcher in the WAC. McKenzie also leads the WAC with a 1.56 Earned Run Average, just ahead of Brattvet, who boasts a 1.82 ERA.
Kernen made it known to his team that in order to win the conference, they must win at least three road series and complete a sweep at home. There are five weeks left in the season, and the ‘Runners have won two road series and swept an opponent at home. With their stellar pitching staff and clutch offense, the ‘Runners look poised to make a serious run at the conference championship.
