May 16, 2004
Box Score
Norman, Okla. - After a big win yesterday, #18 Oklahoma (35-16) watched as a 7-1 lead after six innings was almost wiped out. The Broncs (22-31) put on a furious rally only to fall short, 8-7. UTPA has finished the 2004 season.
Throughout the first six innings, Oklahoma controlled the tempo. The Sooners scored three runs in the second inning to get on the board first. In the third inning, Marco Garza doubled to left field to drive in Louie Alamia. OU came back with three runs in the bottom of the third to make it 7-1.
The Broncs got on the comeback trail starting in the seventh inning. T.J. Gilmer and John Lopez led off the inning with singles. With the runners going, Alamia singled to left field moving Lopez to third and Gilmer across the plate. Alamia then stole second base and Lopez scored when the throw by the catcher to second base went into the outfield. Oklahoma came back with a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 8-4.
In the eighth inning, Ben DiOrio led off with a double to right field and moved to third on a ground out. Ricky Broyles then grounded out to second base to push DiOrio across the plate. UTPA opened the ninth inning with singles from Lopez and Alamia. Aldo Alonzo came in to pinch hit and delivered a single that scored Lopez and moved Alamia to second. Following a double play that advanced Alamia to third, Matt Sisk walked to put runners on the corners. DiOrio ripped another double to score Alamia and Sisk. Oklahoma got a strike out to end the game.
For UTPA, Alamia was 3-for-5, scored two runs and drove in one run, Garza was 3-for-4 and drove in one run, DiOrio was 2-for-5 with two doubles and drove in two runs and Lopez was 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Justin Bogy gave up nine hits and seven runs (four earned) in six innings to drop to 3-4.
For Oklahoma, Ole Sheldon was 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in two runs and Eric Thornton was 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Mark Roberts gave up 11 hits, four runs, walked one and struck out 11 batters in seven and one-third innings to improve to 8-4. Daniel McCutchen struck out one batter in one-third of an inning for his third save of the season.
"We just gave up too many runs early in the game," said Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "Oklahoma is a very good team with great pitching. They are definitely a college world series team. I thought Chad (Linder) and Ryne (Foster) did a good job coming out of the bullpen. We had a lot of clutch hits today. I thought it was great the way we came back on Oklahoma. I have a team of guys that just won't quit."
