LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — Connor Kelley pitched six hitless innings and the Texas-San Antonio offense broke open a tight game with a four-run fourth inning as the Roadrunners routed New Mexico State 10-2 on Friday night at Presley Askew Field.

Kelley, the top star for Texas-San Antonio, was dominant from the start. The right-hander struck out six and walked two over six scoreless frames, not allowing a single Aggies batter to reach base via a hit. He faced just two batters over the minimum, with both walks erased by caught stealings. His performance set the tone for a lopsided series opener.

The Roadrunners (12-1) provided all the offense Kelley would need in the second inning, capitalizing on a New Mexico State error to plate two unearned runs. With Jacob Silva and Garrett Gruell on base, Brandon Bishop hit a fielder’s choice grounder. A throwing error by Aggies shortstop allowed both Silva and Gruell to score, giving UTSA a 2-0 lead.

Texas-San Antonio then blew the game open in the fourth against New Mexico State reliever Jake Carvajal. Nathan Johnson led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Later in the frame, pinch-hitter Diego Diaz doubled down the right-field line to drive in a run, and Aidan Eshelman and Drew Detlefsen followed with sacrifice flies to push the lead to 6-0.

The Roadrunners added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, and two more in the ninth to reach double digits. Eshelman finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Diaz, who remained in the game at second base, went 2 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Johnson drove in two runs, including his homer.

For New Mexico State (5-7), starter Bradyn Barnes was effective in a short outing, allowing one earned run on two hits over three innings while striking out four. The Aggies’ bullpen, however, struggled to contain the UTSA lineup. Carvajal was charged with three earned runs in two innings of work, and Matthew Yarc allowed two earned runs over two frames.

The most important part of the game was Kelley’s commanding start, which completely stifled any early momentum for the home team and allowed UTSA to build its lead comfortably. The Aggies did not record their first hit until the ninth inning against Roadrunners reliever Christian Okerholm. Jonatan Clough broke up the combined no-hit bid with a one-out, RBI triple in the ninth, and later scored on a groundout by Chris Daniels. Tommy Meluskey added a single, but Okerholm closed out the win.

Okerholm pitched the final three innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits with two strikeouts.

The victory extended Texas-San Antonio’s strong start to the season, while New Mexico State fell back below .500. The Roadrunners’ 12-1 record marks one of the best starts in program history.

The teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series on Saturday.