DBU (4-0, 0-0 CUSA) vs UTSA (4-0, 0-0 AMERICAN)
February 20-22 | San Antonio, TX | Roadrunner Field

GAME NOTES (PDF)
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GAME COVERAGE
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Audio: Patriot Broadcasting Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
X: @DBU_Baseball
Instagram: @dbu_baseball
Facebook: DBU Baseball
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DBU BASEBALL ON THE AIR
In their 15th season on the air, Reagan Ratcliff and Brendan Smith are set to deliver the action from San Antonio this weekend on the Patriot Broadcasting Network.
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PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday:        
DBU: RHP Russ Smith  (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 4.0 IP, 6 SO, 3 BB)
vs.
UTSA: RHP Connor Kelley  (0-0, 6.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, 5 SO, 1 BB)

Saturday:    
DBU: RHP Jared Schaeffer  (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 6 SO, 2 BB)
vs.                   
UTSA: TBA

Sunday:      
DBU: RHP Ryan Borberg  (0-0, 40.50 ERA, 0.2 IP, 0 SO, 2 BB)
vs.                   
UTSA: RHP Kendall Dove  (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 5 SO, 1 BB)

LEADING OFF
HOT START: With Tuesday's win over Abilene Christian, the Patriots are off to their third 4-0 start in the last four years.
MARQUEE MATCHUP: Friday brings a clash of two undefeated mid-majors from the Lone Star State, who both appeared in the 2025 NCAA tournament.   

PATRIOT STORYLINES
STATEMENT WINS: DBU has outscored its opponents 45-9 through the first four games of the season.
LEAVING THE YARD: Jake Bennett currently accounts for two-thirds of the team's home run total, and sits tied for second in the nation with four big flies.
EXTRA BASE EXPLOSION: The Patriots have pounded out 20 extra base hits, including six home runs already this season.
LOCKDOWN ON THE MOUND: DBU's pitching staff currently owns a 2.53 team-ERA, a .156 batting average against, and a 4.18 K/BB ratio.
BERGHULT'S HOT START: Senior catcher Adam Berghult opened the season with hits in six consecutive at-bats, and currently shares the team lead in hits (7) with Jake Bennett.
JENKINS' VERSATILITY: Tuesday night, senior RHP Jerrod Jenkins became the first Patriot to notch both a win and a save on his 2026 season line. Jenkins recorded a three-inning save on opening day and started Tuesday's victory, garnering his first win decision of the year.
OFFENSIVE SURGE: Five Patriots have an OPS of 1.000 or better: Jake Bennett (2.061), Ryan Martin (1.600), Adam Berghult (1.485),  Dylan Cupp (1.288), and Keaton Grady (1.171).
SCORELESS DEBUTS: Five different bullpen arms have made their Patriot debuts this season without allowing a run: Tate Hess (5.0 IP), Armani Knipper (1.0 IP), JT Long (1.0 IP), Max Luzzaraga (1.0 IP), and Aiden VanDeHatert (2.0 IP).
DEFENSIVE PERFECTION: DBU remains flawless in the field, committing zero errors in 115 chances thus far.
MILESTONE WATCH: Head coach Dan Heefner sits just three wins shy of his 700th career victory.
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SCOUTING UTSA (4-0)
OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: The Roadrunners hold a 4-0 record after an opening-weekend sweep of South Dakota State and a midweek victory over Illinois-Chicago. UTSA currently owns a run differential of +40.
PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: UTSA was picked to finish second in the American Conference preseason coaches' poll, right behind East Carolina. Both schools received four first-place votes, but the Pirates squeaked out five more points in the poll.
ALL-CONFERENCE NAMES: Connor Kelley (RHP), Robert Orloski (RHP), Andrew Stucky (C), and Drew Detlefsen (OF) were named to the American Preseason All-Conference Team.
TEAM LEADERS: Christian Hallmark leads the Roadrunners with a 1.750 OPS through four games (min. three starts), and also leads the team with a .750 OBP. Nobody has swatted multiple home runs yet, as six different hitters share the team lead in big flies. Caden Miller leads the group in total bases with 14.
THE ARMS: UTSA rocks a 3.00 team-ERA through four games. The Roadrunners also own a 2.4 K/BB ratio, and a .221 batting average against as a staff. Christopher Gutierrez leads all UTSA arms with three appearances and has yet to allow a run.
PERFECT ON THE BASES: UTSA baserunners are a flawless 9-9 in stolen base attempts. Miller leads the group with three steals.
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SERIES HISTORY
- The Patriots hold a 13-9 advantage over the Roadrunners in a series that dates back to 2005.
- DBU is 8-1 against UTSA in games played at Roadrunner Field.
- Last season, the Patriots took down the Roadrunners 2-1 in a weekend series at Horner Ballpark, outscoring UTSA 39-22.
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ON DECK
Following their first away series of 2026, the Patriots will conclude their four-game road trip Tuesday against UT Arlington before heading home to Dallas to host both Oral Roberts (2-2) and Air Force (2-2).