Feb. 18, 2004

Edinburg, Texas - Texas-Pan American (6-5) overcame an early deficit to take a 15-4 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville (1-7) tonight. The Broncs sweep the series 3-0 having won both games of a doubleheader on February 3.

The Javelinas took it to UTPA early. In the first inning, Jon Forte doubled to left center. Thomas Melvin singled down the right field line to drive in Forte. Mike Aguirre walked and advanced to second when Melvin stole third. A single to center field by E.J. Gonzalez drove in Aguirre and Melvin to make it 3-0.

In the second inning, the Broncs drew three walks to load the bases with one out. Ricky Broyles (Jr./Longview, Texas/Northeast Texas CC) singled to left field to drive in Ben DiOrio (Sr./Canon City, Colo./Seward County CC) and Jarod Hickle (So./La Grange, Texas/La Grange HS). Louie Alamia (So./Edinburg, Texas/Edinburg North HS) crushed a triple to right center to score Aaron Flowers (Jr./Rowlett, Texas/Northeast Texas CC) and Broyles. Alfred Padron (Jr./Pasadena, Texas/Alvin CC) grounded out to score Alamia and make it 5-3, Broncs.

In the third inning, Hickle gave the Broncs some breathing room with a two run bomb to left field to make it 7-3. UTPA scored three runs in the sixth and five in the eighth. After the first inning, UTPA gave up six hits and just one run.

For the Broncs, Broyles was 3-for-5, scored three runs and drove in three runs, Hickle scored three runs and Alamia's triple extended his hitting streak to eight games. Chad Linder (Fr./Reklaw, Texas/Rusk HS) gave up no hits and struck out two batters in two innings for the victory.

For Texas A&M-Kingsville, Rick Dyer, Forte and Gonzalez had two hits each.

"We got some really good pitching and hitting tonight." Said head coach Willie Gawlik. "Sam English (So./Magnolia, Texas/Central Arkansas) did a really nice job after the first inning until he hurt his ankle. We got a great relief performance from Chad. He came on in the fifth with two on and no one out and it was 7-3, still a tight game. He gets a ground out, a strike out and a fly out. Justin Bogy (Sr./West Columbia, Texas/West Columbia HS) pitched a good game after not pitching for two years due to injury. The triple by Alamia and the home run by Hickle were huge hits for us. We are looking forward to Sam Houston State this weekend. We have been playing well and are feeling good about what we are doing."

Texas-Pan American will take on Sam Houston State, February 20-22 in the three game series. The games on Friday and Saturday, the 19th and 20th respectively, will start at 2:00 p.m. The game on Sunday, the 22nd will go at 1:00 p.m.