Feb. 3, 2004

EDINBURG, TEXAS - The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team picked up two wins, 6-3 and 3-2, over Texas A&M-Kingsville at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium Tuesday evening.

In game one the Broncs struck early. With runners on the corners in the first inning, Juan Saenz lifted a fly ball to centerfield that scored sophomore second baseman T.J. Gilmer (Forney, TX/Forney HS). In the second inning, Gilmer singled up the middle to score junior third baseman Ricky Broyles (Longview, TX/Spring Hill HS/Northeast Texas CC) and sophomore catcher Jarod Hickle (LaGrange, TX/LaGrange HS) to make it 3-0 UTPA. The Javelinas refused to quit as they used a hit, an error and three hit batters to score two runs in the third to make it 3-2.

In the bottom of the third, UTPA answered back. Senior designated hitter Juan Saenz (Mission, TX/Mission HS) led off with a single, followed by a double down the right field line by freshman first baseman Ryan Grimet (Pearland, TX/Pearland HS). Following a pop up, senior right fielder Matt Sisk (Fort Worth, TX/Arlington Heights HS/New Mexico) was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gambit did not pay off as junior shortstop Aaron Flowers (Rowlett, TX/Rowlett HS/Northeast Texas CC) walked to drive in Saenz. Broyles then singled to drive in Grimet and a sacrifice fly by sophomore left fielder Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) scored Sisk to make it 6-2. TAMUK scored one in the seventh to finish the scoring.

Freshman Cesar Pena (Harlingen, TX/Harlingen South HS) picked up his first win of the year giving up two hits, 1 run and striking out one batter in 3.1 innings. Broyles came on in the ninth inning and recorded two strike outs for the save. Gilmer was 2-for-3, scored a run and drove in two runs.

Game two was a back and forth affair. Once again the Broncs started early as Grimet singled to drive home Alamia in the first inning. Junior catcher Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS) then singled through the right side to drive in Sisk to make it 2-0.

In the third inning, Ricky Dyer doubled and went to third on a passed ball for the Javelinas. Following a pop up, Thomas Melvin singled up the middle to score Dyer. In the sixth inning, with runners on second and third, TAMUK tried a suicide squeeze. Pat Sopchak was thrown out at first as Mike Aguirre scored to tie the game. Spike Fogle tried to score as well, but was thrown out at home to end the inning.

UTPA got on the comeback train in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Broyles stole second base. Alamia then singled to the shortstop to put the runners at the corners. The Broncs pulled off a delayed double steal, and Broyles slid past the tag to win the game.

Alamia was 2-for-5 while senior Tommy Sorden (Austin, TX/Bowie HS/Navarro College) pitched 2/3 of an inning for the win. Freshman Ryne Foster (Cedar Park, TX/Cedar Park HS) started and pitched a strong game giving up eight hits, two runs and striking out six batters in 5.1 innings.

"I feel really good about winning both games," said UTPA Baseball Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "We played two very hard ball games today. I felt that we moved the ball around very well. We just executed when we really needed to. I felt the pitching was exceptional. The starters pitched well, and we had great relief pitching. Kingsville is a very tough team, and these were two very good wins for us."

Texas-Pan American improved to 2-2 with the victories, while Texas A&M-Kingsville fell to 0-2 with the defeats. The Broncs will return to action when they host Sam Houston State Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. in the first round of the UTPA/Al Ogletree Classic.