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HARLINGEN, TX -- In his first professional game, Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (1-0) catcher Danny Etkin hit a two-run home run in an 8-7 win over the Coastal Bend Thunder (0-1) tonight at Harlingen Field.

Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth, Jonathan Poterson started the inning with a double off of former-WhiteWing Alex Gett (0-1). Etkin followed with a blast to left field to make it 5-3. One out later, Agustin Septimo reached on an infield single, moved to second to second on a ground out and scored on a single by Alberto Cruz to make it 6-3.

That made a winner of Reymond Cruz (1-0), who pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven.

The Thunder struck against Cruz in the first inning. With one out, Casey Gordon doubles and Mike Goss walked. Manny Mejia followed with an RBI-single to make it 1-0.

The WhiteWings tied it up against Francisco Castillo in the bottom of the inning without a hit. Joaquin Rodriguez led-off with a six-pitch walk. Septimo followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice. Six-pitch walks to Alfred Joseph and Cruz loaded the bases, allowing Septimo to score on a ground out by Omar Rosario.

The Thunder took the lead back in the top of the second. Juvy Ibarra led off with a four-pitch walk. One out later, Michael Lewis reached on a bunt single. With two outs, Gordon and Goss walked to force in a run. Mejia followed with an RBI-single to make it 3-1.

The WhiteWings tied the game in the third. Septimo led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a balk and to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Cruz struck out swinging, but a wild pitch allowed Septimo to score and Cruz to reach second base. Rosario followed with a grounder to second, that was bobbled twice by Gordon and then thrown wide of the bag, allowing Cruz to score.

The WhiteWings added a run in the bottom of the sixth when Septimo hit a two out triple and scored on a Joseph double against Gett to make it 7-3.

In the bottom of the seventh against David Parker, Ricardo Santana doubled home Rosario to make it 8-3.

After pitching two scoreless innings of relief, Mike Swords got into trouble in his professional debut for the WhiteWings in the eighth. Bryan Vickers and Ibarra started off the inning with walks and former-WhiteWings Amadeo Zazueta reached on an infield single. The WhiteWings then went to closer Julio Santana, who allowed a two-run double to Lewis, an RBI-single to Dustin Smith and a sacrifice fly to Gordon to make it 8-7.

Santana pitched a scoreless ninth to record his first save.

The WhiteWings and Thunder play game two of this four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05. Gates open at 6:05. Right-hander Sendy Vasquez (0-0) will face right-hander Zach Beal (0-0).