THE RUNDOWN
The No. 17 ranked DBU Patriots (13-4) took down the UTSA Roadrunners (15-5) in seven innings Friday night. Patriot starter Micah Bucknam broke through, tossing a technical complete game and striking out eight. Bucknam worked efficiently, only needing 79 pitches to record 21 outs.

The Roadrunners would scratch one across in the top of the first, but the Patriot sticks would answer quickly. Chayton Krauss launched a two-out, opposite-field homer, and six pitches later, Tom Poole would drill one of his own to center field. Back-to-back home runs gave DBU the early lead.

Bucknam would surrender a two-run homer in the top of the third, but the Roadrunner's lead would be short-lived.

DBU posted a mastodonic nine-run inning in the bottom half of the third, with each run coming across on a big fly. Michael Dattalo punched an opposite-field grand slam to plate the first four runs, followed by a Jake Bennett two-run blast, and a Nathan Humphreys three-run homer that snuck around the right field foul pole. All nine runs were scored without an out record.

Bucknam would pitch the rest of the game without allowing a Roadrunner to reach third base.

The Patriots would plate a run in the bottom of the fourth with a runners-on-the-corners steal play, sacrificing an out to bring home the 12th run. In the bottom of the sixth, Keaton Grady lined a two-run single to center field to propel the Patriots into mercy-rule territory. 

Bucknam would then seal the deal in the top of the seventh, as Nathan Humphreys made a leaping grab at the center field warning track to end the night.
 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- This is the first time Micah Bucknam has pitched through the seventh inning this season, on what was also his lowest pitch count of the season.
- Nine runs in one inning is the most runs DBU has scored in a single inning since the 2024 CUSA Championship Game (Louisiana Tech).
- DBU's 14 runs tonight match a season-high set against SIU-Edwardsville on February 22nd.
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1,969 - Patriot bats launched 1,969 ft worth of home runs tonight.
1.000 - Keaton Grady reached base in each of his four plate appearances (2 1B, 1 2B, 1 BB)
2 - The Patriot offense only struck out twice in tonight's seven-inning affair.

ON DECK
The Pats (13-4) and Roadrunners (15-5) continue their weekend series following the DBU win Friday night. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.