April 15, 2005

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A late-inning surge in the first of two games allowed The University of Texas-Pan American (11-28) baseball program to earn a split with Dallas Baptist (22-16) on Friday (Apr. 15) at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

The Broncs used a three-run ninth inning to come from behind and hand the Patriots a 3-2 setback in the first game of the doubleheader.

Dallas Baptist hurler Randall Taylor took a no-hitter into the ninth inning until senior Jacob Jones (Kress, TX/Texas Tech University) lined a shot down the right field line for a double to open the frame. Jones would score from second two hitters later when Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) fired a shot into leftfield for a RBI single.

The Broncs were able to tie the game at 2-2 when Zach Smith (Sanger, TX/Sanger H.S.) sent a ball to right-centerfield for a sacrifice fly, which would allow Alamia to score from third base. Dallas Baptist made a pitching change and brought in Stuart Sutherland, who proceeded to peg a pair of Bronc hitters.

With bases loaded and two outs, Sutherland hit his second batter of the inning in senior Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine H.S.), which would send Joe B. Gutierrez (McAllen, TX/Laredo C.C.) across home plate for the game-winning run.

Junior Aaron Guerra (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.) improved his record to 5-2 on the season as he tossed a complete-game gem, allowing two runs on six hits in the game. He struck out four hitters and failed to surrender a single walk.

Taylor suffered the loss for the Broncs as he struck out six hitters over the course of 8.1 innings of action. He dropped his record to 5-4 on the season.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Dallas Baptist jumped out to a 3-0 innings of action after four innings before UTPA was able to land a run on the scoreboard. In that frame, J.P. Mackie (McAllen, TX/Sharyland H.S.) singled then advanced to third when Alamia reached on a Patriots' infield error. He would later score on a Jereme Wilson wild pitch.

The Patriots went back to work in the top half of the sixth inning and added another insurance run to take the score to 4-1. In that frame, Garrett Baker led off with a triple to right field then scored when Austin Krum singled up the middle.

Dallas Baptist would add an insurance run in the top half of the eighth inning to up their lead to 5-1. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Eichel doubled to left field then would be driven home on a single by Ricky Broyles (Longview, TX/Northeast Texas C.C.) to cut the lead to 5-2. Unfortunately, the Broncs were unable to plate any more runs as the Patriots took the nightcap, 5-2.

Junior Ryne Foster (Cedar Park, TX/Cedar Park H.S.) suffered his sixth loss of the season as the Broncs' lefty tossed seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. He struck out seven Patriot hitters while walking five.

Wilson picked up the victory for Dallas Baptist and improved his record to 2-0 on the season, hurling seven innings and allowing only one run in the game. He gave up five hits while striking out four Bronc batters and walking six.

Cody Montgomery, Baker and Krum all led the Patriots with two hits a piece.

The Broncs and Patriots will conclude their three-game home series at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium on Saturday (Apr. 16). First pitch will be set for 12:00 p.m.

UTPA Sports Information