UTSA Beats WSU in Extras - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

UTSA Beats WSU in Extras

Story by Washington State Univ. Athletics

SAN ANTONIO – Rodney Garza's RBI-double in the bottom of the 10th gave UTSA a 4-3 victory over Washington State in nonconference baseball at Roadrunner Field, Sunday.

The Roadrunners (12-5) tied the game in the ninth off Washington State (9-6) closer J.D. Leckenby (0-1) before scoring the winning run against the right-hander in the extra frame.

"We have to be better longer," Cougar Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "Credit UTSA. They didn't quit."

In the 10th, John Bormann led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by John Welborn to set the table for Garza's heroics. The Roadrunners tied the game in the ninth off Leckenby, who was 5-for-5 in save opportunities entering the game, on a two-out double by RJ Perucki and a run-scoring single by Mike Warren. UTSA nearly won the game when Tony Ramirez singled to left field and the ball caromed away from a diving Adam Nelubowich. However, an alert centerfielder Collin Slaybaugh picked up the loose ball and fired a strike to catcher P.J. Jones to cut down Warren.

The Roadrunners scored twice in the bottom of the first against Cougar starter Kyle Swannack to take an early lead before Washington State tied the game with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth.

In the fourth, the Cougars loaded the bases with one out on a single by Brett Jacobs, a walk to Ian Sagdal and an error. Trace Tam Sing's sacrifice fly provided Washington State's first run. In the fifth, Nick Tanielu led off with a double and scored on a two-out double by Jason Monda.

Washington State pushed across a run in the seventh to take a 3-2 lead. With one out, Nelubowich and Yale Rosen singled. With two outs, Jacobs delivered an RBI-single to put the Cougars on top.

The Cougars open Pac-12 play with a three-game series at Arizona State, March 15-17. The series begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday.