April 13, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs recorded a three-game sweep over Texas Southern in a 14-12 victory in the final game of the series on Sunday (Apr. 13).

The Broncs improved to 12-22 on the season while the Tigers fell to 8-23 overall.

The Broncs got off to a quick 2-0 advantage in the first inning on two hits when Billy Donaho doubled to center field, advancing Ryan Vest to third base who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning. A Jordan Rutenbar sacrifice fly to right field plated Vest and the second run of the inning came when Donaho stole home to give the Broncs a 2-0 lead.

The Broncs held the Tigers scoreless in the bottom half of the inning and came right back and produced five runs in the next two innings. UTPA grabbed four runs on four hits and two errors in the third inning, including two homeruns from Bonham Hough and Nick Spears.

The bats continued for the Broncs, as they collected runs in four of the six innings including a three run fifth inning.

After plating a run in the bottom of the second, the Tigers grabbed 11 runs in the final six innings of the game.

The biggest inning for the Tigers came in the bottom seventh where Texas Southern recorded four runs on three hits. After two pitching changes by the Broncs, the Tigers were able to the deficit 11-9.

With only a two game lead, the Broncs produced two runs on three hits in the eighth inning and a final run in the ninth to shutout the Tigers for good.

The two runs in the eighth inning came when Rutenbar singled to right field and scored on a Hough homerun to left field, his second of the day, to make the score 13-9.

The Tigers threatened in the bottom half of the inning when Johnny Toups hit a three-run blast to center field but it wasn't enough to stop the Broncs as they rolled to their third straight win and 12th of the season.

Offensively the Broncs were led by Donaho who went 4-for-6 to go with one RBI and two runs scored including two homeruns.

Five Bronc hurlers were used in the contest, but starting pitcher Cody Cisper earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing nine hits, five runs - all earned while striking out seven.

The Broncs will be back in action on Tuesday (Apr. 15) when they take on Southland Conference-foe Texas State in a two game series with the first game slated for 6 p.m. in San Marcos, TX.

UTPA Sports Information