In game two of the three-game series against New Mexico State, the University of Texas-Pan American baseball program (5-21) dropped a 9-3 decision to the Aggies this Friday (March 27) night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
"We had too many walks today; you can't win that way at any level," said head coach Manny Mantrana. "We made some difficult plays but it's the routine plays that get you the win."
As UTPA went through five pitchers, the Broncs struggled as they scored two runs in the second and in the third. The Broncs scored a run off of an RBI single to right by Nick Spears driving in Abraham Garcia. The next run came in the third as Bonham Hough scored on a pass ball.
The Aggies scored five runs in the first two innings to give New Mexico State a 5-0 advantage and added runs in the fourth and fifth to lead by seven.
Jose Mendoza, who went 3-for-4 and double, scored the single run in the bottom of the eighth on a single to right by Andrew Perez to make the final score 9-3.
The Broncs wrap-up the three-game series Saturday (March 28) afternoon with first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m. CT.
Scorpions Sweep Doubleheader from Huston-Tillotson, 7-1, 7-2
Julian Moya and Danny Gidora pitched strong games as UTB/TSC swept a Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader from Huston-Tillotson University, 7-1 and 7-2, Friday at Scorpion Field.
With the victories, the Scorpions are 19-20 for the season and 5-2 in RRAC play. HTU dropped to 9-27, 2-3. UTB/TSC now leads the South Zone race.
The two teams meet in the finale of the three-game series at 1 p.m. Saturday at Scorpion Field, a game that will also mark the last of 17 straight home games for the Scorpions.
Moya allowed three hits and struck out nine in the opening game win, while Gidora allowed six hits and struck out 11 in the nightcap.
"Both pitchers threw really well," Scorpion head coach Bryan Aughney said. "Julian got frustrated early on. He didn't have his best stuff with him so he had to find a way to get out of trouble and that's exactly what he did. That's the guy who anchors our staff and that's what you've got to do, find a way to get out.
"Danny did great," Aughney said. "He gave up two runs, struck out 11 and walked three, you can't ask for a much better performance than that, so he did a great job."
Aughney was satisfied with the conference victories almost halfway through the conference race.
"The conference wins are real important, that's what we base our season off of, that's what takes us to the post-season," Aughney said. "It's like I told the guys, we're two-thirds of the way done for the weekend. We've got a big nine-inning game tomorrow so we'll be focused for that one and hopefully take that one too."
