April 23, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team dropped a double-header against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday (Apr. 22) at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

With the two setbacks, the Broncs fell to 14-27 on the season while the Islanders improved to 16-25 overall.

The Broncs suffered a 10-5 loss in game one of the double-header and fell 8-2 in the second match-up.

TAMUCC opened the game with a three-run first inning on three hits and one miscue by the Broncs. Paul Saville led off with a single to right field, stole second, advanced to third on a C. Wheaton single to left field and scored following an error by the catcher. Driving in two runs for the Islanders was Ernie Olivarez who singled to center field, making the score 3-0.

The Islanders kept the Broncs scoreless throughout four innings till the Broncs collected five runs in the fifth on four hits.

With two outs in the inning, Ryan Vest got on board following a hit-by-pinch, advanced to second on a balk and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jordan Rutenbar joined Vest on the base path with a walk and both teammates advanced a base after a balk. Billy Donaho kept the inning going, connecting on a single to left field scoring Rutenbar from second base.

After an Islander pitching change, the Broncs rally continued as Jose Mendoza, Ruben Shives Jr. and Andrew Perez all recorded doubles and a RBI apiece, to even the score at 5-5.

The Broncs would be held scoreless the rest of the way as the Islanders added four runs in the seventh and a single run in the eighth to shut out the Broncs in game one.

Pitching 6.1 innings for the Broncs and recording the loss was senior Shane Janecka. Janecka allowed 13 hits, nine runs - six earned while striking out four.

Mendoza was the only Bronc to record a multi-hit performance going 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.

GAME TWO
The Broncs struggled to find their stroke in game two against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi falling 8-2.

Making his third appearance of the year, Jeremy Johnson took the mound for the Broncs. Johnson collected the loss, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, and four runs - all earned.

The Broncs only runs came in the seventh and eighth innings on three hits combined.

Nick Bourn went 1-for-3 with one RBI while Shives Jr. finished a perfect 1-for-1 with run scored.

The Broncs will travel to Pine Bluff, AR for a three-game series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff beginning Friday (Apr. 25) with the first game slated for 7 p.m.

UTPA Sports Information