Edinburg, Texas - Texas-Pan American (22-28) unleashed Mother Nature on Southeastern Louisiana (15-32) as they swept a doubleheader, 11-3 and 3-2, to push their winning streak to six games. Thundershowers soaked the field and caused a two hour and 15 minutes delay after the second inning of the first game. UTPA takes on Arkansas, May 11 in a game scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.
In Game One, Texas-Pan American struck in its first at-bat. Louie Alamia led off with a walk to extend his reaching base safely streak to 58 consecutive games. Aaron Flowers singled through the left side to move Alamia to second. With the runners going, Tony Ortiz singled to right field to score Alamia and move Flowers to third.Marco Garza singled up the middle to score Flowers and make it 2-0.
The Lions came back refreshed after the rain delay. In the top of the third, Jeff Cresson led off with a double to left center. Robert Waltman singled to right center to score Cresson. Jason Waguespack hit a grounder to the left side but the Broncs missed second base to allow Waltman to reach it. A passed ball moved Waltman to third and Waguespack to second. Jimmy Bertelson singled to right center to score Waltman and Waguespack to make it 3-2.
The Broncs refused to give up. In the fifth inning, Alamia led off with a walk and was forced out at second on a grounder hit by Flowers. Tony Ortiz walked followed by a line out. With two outs, Matt Eichel blasted the ball over the left field wall to make it 5-3. UTPA scored three runs each in the sixth and seventh innings to seal the game.
For UTPA, Eichel was 2-for-5, scored two runs and drove in three runs, Otis Powers was 2-for-3 and Ricky Broyles had seven assists. Johnny Gibson gave up five hits and struck out two batters in six and one-third innings to improve to 3-1 on the season.
For SEL, Cresson was 3-for-4 and Bertelson was 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. Chris Province gave up four hits and six runs in four innings to fall to 0-1.
"We just played an all-around game today," said Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "Justin Bogy threw two innings of no-hit ball. After the rain delay, Johnny came in and pitched a great game. We had some timely hits out there. The play of the game was Tony going over the guard rail down the first base line and making the catch."
In Game Two, Southeastern Louisiana got on the board first. In the third inning, Eddie Bonet led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A single from Tony Suarez moved Bonet to third and he came home on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. In the fourth inning, Colby Tyler singled up the middle and moved to second on a passed ball. The Broncs mishandled a grounder from Cresson that allowed Tyler to score to make it 2-0.
The Broncs ruined the shut out in the bottom of the sixth inning. T.J. Gilmer walked and Alamia laid down a bunt single. Following a strike out, Ortiz walked to load the bases for Garza, who grounded out to drive in Gilmer to make it 2-1.
In the seventh inning, Matt Sisk led off with a walk. Following a pop up, Eichel walked to move Sisk to second. A fielder's choice forced Eichel out at second, moved Sisk to third and put Gilmer at first. Alamia laced a single up the middle to score Sisk and move Gilmer to second. Aaron Flowers singled to left field and Gilmer beat the throw home to put UTPA up 3-2.
In the ninth inning Randy Roth singled through the right side to give the Lions a ray of hope. The Broncs dimmed that ray as Colby Tyler hit into a double play and Cresson popped up to the shortstop.
For UTPA, Alamia was 3-for-4 and drove in one run while Flowers was 1-for-3 and drove in a run. Alamia extended his reaching base safely streak to 59 consecutive games. John Lopez gave up seven hits, two runs and struck out three batters in seven innings to improve to 2-1 on the season. Aaron Guerra gave up two hits in two innings for his first save.
For SEL, Waltman was 3-for-4. Chad Pendarvis gave up two hits, two runs and struck out two batters in two and two-third innings to drop to 4-6.
"If you pitch well and play good defense, you are going to win games," said Head Coach Gawlik. "I though John pitched a strong game for us. He got into trouble several times but pitched his way out of it. Aaron came in and held them in check. I thought we played some exceptional defense today. Ricky getting that unassisted double play in the sixth inning was a huge play for us. We only had five hits but they were timely hits. We played with a lot of adversity in this game and we didn't quit. I'm really proud that the guys kept fighting until they found a way to win."
