SAN ANTONIO - Eight months after being named the fifth head coach in the history of UTSA baseball, Pat Hallmark opens the 2020 campaign with the first of a three-game weekend series at Roadrunner Field Friday.
The Roadrunners host Quinnipiac Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday's first pitch is at 4 p.m., while Saturday is at 2 p.m. and the finale gets underway at 10 a.m. Sunday.
UTSA finished 28-30, while the Bobcats went 30-29 in 2019, including a 17-7 mark in the MAAC, sweeping regular season and tournament titles.
OPENING DAY: The Roadrunners are 11-17 all-time on opening day and have lost their last three. They are 2-3 in the last five openers and 6-4 in the last 10. The program's longest winning streak on opening day is five from 2012-2016 with the longest dry spell was eight seasons from 2001-2008.
SERIES NOTES: This is the second series between these two teams all-time, with the Bobcats winning three of the four games. Quinnipiac won the opener 5-4 Feb. 17, 2017. UTSA evened the series at one win apiece with a 12-1 triumph in the first game of a doubleheader the following day. The Bobcats responded with an 8-7 win in the night cap and a 12-10 victory Feb. 18, 2017 in the final contest.
PAYING TRIBUTE: Former University of Houston baseball player, John Altobelli, who died alongside his wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa; Kobe Bryant and his daughter, GiGi, and four others when Bryant's helicopter crashed Jan. 26. The Roadrunners will honor Altobelli in a moment of silence before today's game.
HALLMARK ERA BEGINS: The 46-year-old Hallmark was officially announced as the fifth head coach in UTSA history June 16, 2019 during a press conference a day later at Roadrunner Field. In two seasons at UIW, he led the Cardinals to a 66-48, including 37-22 last season en route to a fourth-place finish in the Southland Conference and was named Coach of the Year in the league.
COACHES: Scott Shepperd, Ryan Aguayo and Zach Luevanos followed Hallmark across the Alamo City from UIW. Shepperd is the team's pitching coach while Aguayo will work with the infielders and hitters. Luevanos is responsible for outfielders and catchers and will assist with the offense.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Senior catcher Nick Thornquist was selected to the C-USA Preseason team.
Home Grown: Every player on the UTSA roster hails from the Lone Star State, including nine from San Antonio and surrounding areas.
WINDS OF CHANGE: Roadrunners lost 13 players off the 2019 squad and added 12 in the offseason, including nine transfers. Just four of the 12 newcomers have Division I experience while there are three true freshman and five junior college transfers.
ROSTER MAKEUP: UTSA carries 20 pitchers into the season including two, Grimes and Jaramillo, whom are listed as utility players along with 10 infielders, five outfielders and three catchers.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE: The Roadrunners opponents represent nine leagues – including four Power Five schools, six conference champions and four NCAA Regional participants from 2019 including one that made it to the College World Series.
LOOK BACK AT 2019: After finishing as the eighth and final seed in The First 2019 Conference USA Baseball Championship, the Roadrunners went 2-2, losing in the semifinals to NCAA Regional participant Florida Atlantic.
FORMER ROADRUNNERS: Three seniors from last season's squad continued their playing careers in professional baseball. Karan Patel and Brian Arias were drafted in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
The Chicago White Sox selected Patel in the seventh round while Arias went to the Houston Astros in the 28th Round. Ryan Stacy was signed to an independent league contract.