The Horns return to the Disch for a five-game homestand that includes a matchup against the No. 2 Tigers over the weekend.
Up to No. 8 nationally, the Texas Longhorns are coming off a weekend sweep against the Mississippi State Bulldogs to open SEC play with a five-game homestand at UFCU Disch-Falk Field looming, starting with Tuesday’s matchup against the UTSA Roadrunners prior to a weekend visit from the No. 2 LSU Tigers in the first conference home series.
“It’s time to experience an SEC weekend at home,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “We’ve got that next weekend, but, first, we’re going to play an awesome UTSA team, one of the best hitting and offensive teams in the country Tuesday night, so we’re going to have our hands full.”
UTSA enters the midweek matchup at 16-6 overall following a weekend series loss to then-No. 20 Dallas Baptist. The Roadrunners did travel to College State to beat the Aggies 7-4 two weeks ago, but also suffered a 5-0 midweek loss to the Bears in Waco.
The challenge for the Texas pitching staff will be significant because UTSA is fifth nationally in batting average at .338 with every regular starter batting .308 or better. Outfielder Mason Lytle leads the Roadrunners with a .400 batting average and 11 home runs after leading the team in hits (85), doubles (18), triples (3), home runs (11), and RBIs (43) last season. Another junior-college transfer, outfielder Drew Detlefsen, is batting .390 with a team-high five home runs.
Other notable aspects of the Roadrunners include their aggressiveness on the base paths with 34 stolen bases, tied for 68th nationally, and a .979 fielding percentage, tied for 33rd in the country.
On the mound, the UTSA staff has a 5.55 ERA with opponents batting .260 with 25 home runs. Right-hander James Hubbard (1-2, 502 ERA) is set to receive the start for the Roadrunners, his fifth of the season.
Freshman right-hander Drew Rerick (1-0, 5.06 ERA) will receive his second start on Tuesday after allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings against UT Arlington last week.
“We’re gonna have to throw some guys that didn’t pitch this weekend,” Schlossnagle said. “They’re gonna have to help us out in that game. It looks like the weather is gonna be good, so we really need the Longhorn faithful to show up, make a lot of noise and fill every seat. Don’t give away your tickets unless you’re giving them to Longhorns or send them to me.”
The Longhorns are 28-6 against the Roadrunners in the all-time series, including wins in six of the last seven games. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. Central on SEC Network+.
