Ian Koenig’s Career-High Eight Strikeouts Lead Missions to Victory

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 5, 2026) — Ian Koenig set a career high with eight strikeouts in six strong innings, and the heart of the order delivered five runs of support to hand the San Antonio Missions (15-20) a 5-3 win over the Springfield Cardinals.

San Antonio again got the party started in the first with two quick runs. Braedon Karpathios doubled home one before Ryan Jackson singled him in on the next pitch, greeting Cardinals starter Yhoiker Fajardo in his Double-A debut with two runs to take a 2-0 lead.

Springfield evened the score immediately against Koenig in the second. Josiah Ragsdale homered in his first at bat as a Cardinal and then a wild pitch with the bases loaded tied it, but Koenig stranded a pair more in scoring position to keep the game tied.

The game remained even into the fifth as both pitchers battled. Koenig and Fajardo each struck out eight, which for Koenig set a career high. Even as Fajardo fanned his eight, the Missions got to him in the bottom of the fifth. Despite the first two batters of the frame being set down, a Carson Tucker walk and Tirso Ornelas base hit placed two in scoring position with two away. That’s when Jake Cunningham snuck a groundball into right field to bring both runners home and give San Antonio a 4-2 lead.

Koenig utilized the lead to finish his six innings of work with his team ahead. He handed the game to Igor Gil, who recorded two outs before turning things to Garrett Hawkins. The tall righty ended the seventh inning, but in the eighth he allowed a homer to the Cardinals’ top prospect, Rainiel Rodriguez. The solo blast made it 4-3 in the eighth.

San Antonio answered right away in the bottom of the eighth by loading the bases on walks against Randel Clemente. Albert Fabian made him pay by driving in a run with a sacrifice fly to provide an insurance run and a 5-3 lead.

Josh Mallitz, who entered to finish the eighth, quickly sealed the game in the ninth with 1-2-3 inning. For Mallitz, his fifth save gave the Missions their 5-3 win.

Up Next:

The Missions continue their six-game series against the Springfield Cardinals tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. It is Taco Bell Value Night, so the Flying Chanclas return! Fans can get discounted tickets along with $2 hot dogs, $2 soda, $2 beer and $2 popcorn. Catch all the action on Country Legends KKYX, 680 AM, 104.9 FM and kkyx.com.

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The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The Missions were established in 1888 and have brought affordable family fun to the Alamo City for more than 120 seasons. The 13-time Texas League champions play their home games at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. For more information and tickets, call 210-675-7275 or visit samissions.com.