Jan. 23, 2006
The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team heads in to the 2006 season with the biggest group of upper-classmen head coach Willie Gawlik has had during his tenure at UTPA thus far. With over 20 players on the roster being juniors or seniors, the Broncs will have a great deal of experience on the field.
Pitchers
The Bronc pitching staff features three seniors and six juniors who help make up an experienced group. The staff will be led on the mound by seniors Aaron Guerra (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.), Dane Mason (Marlton, NJ/Oklahoma State) and Kelly Casares (Missouri City, TX/McClennan Junior College). This trio accounted for 24 starts during the 2005 season and piled up 166.2 innings pitched.
Guerra was the most successful pitcher on the roster last season and looks to improve even further in 2006. During his junior campaign, he compiled a 5-5 record with a 4.96 earned run average. The Bronc hurler is poised for his best campaign yet at UTPA and will be a key component in the team's success.
"Aaron is a three-year starter coming back with a lot of experience, so we're excited about him. He had a really great fall and has been pitching well in January and we want him to have a great year," said Gawlik.
After posting an earned run average of 3.48, Mason is returning to form after a season-ending arm injury in 2005. The Bronc right-hander began his junior season with high hopes but was sidelined after starting just six games. Before his injury, he posted one of the biggest wins of the season with eight shutout innings against 10th ranked Arizona.
"Dane is a returning starter who started out strong last year and then had an injury. We hope he'll rebound and come back strong this year," added Gawlik.
Casares returns for his senior campaign after logging 50 innings as a junior, third most on the team. He brings valuable experience along with the ability to start or pitch in relief to the Bronc staff.
"We're looking for Kelly to step up as a senior and make a big contribution. He had a couple of really good games last year and we're looking for him to be able to do that on a consistent basis," Gawlik stated.
The Broncs also have juniors Ryne Foster (Cedar Park, TX/Cedar Park H.S.), Alex Guajardo (La Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) and Chad Linder (Reklaw, TX/Rusk H.S.) returning. Foster has 18 starts under his belt through two seasons while Linder has primarily worked in relief, earning three saves. Guajardo returns to the Broncs after taking a year off.
"Ryne threw well last year, he just had some tough luck and hopefully things fall in place for him. Alex got married and took a year off last year. He's been throwing well in the fall and January so he should make a big contribution as well. Chad is consistent and has given us two years of consistent pitching. We're looking for him to take it to a higher level this year," said Gawlik.
UTPA also returns Stephen Davila (Weslaco, TX/Weslaco H.S.), Bobby Gomez (Falfurrias, TX/Falfurrias H.S.) and last season's closer, Tim Haines (Mission, TX/Blinn College), to the mound. Gomez gives the Broncs a left-handed option as a starter or reliever after a freshman season which saw him start six games and finish with a 1-3 record. Haines returns to his role as the UTPA closer. As a freshman, the Broncs' stopper notched six saves, tying him for third-most in a single season.
"Stephen is a short relief guy who is able to come in and give us some quality innings. Bobby was a starter/reliever last year and he's kind of an in between guy. Hopefully, he can step up and be a big contributor to this team," Gawlik added.
"Tim was our closer and had a big year last year. He set the record for appearances in a season and he did a great job. He was responsible for half of our wins between his saves and wins," said Gawlik.
Adding to the depth of the pitching staff will be newcomer Ricky Ibarz (Caracas, Venezuela/New Mexico J.C.). Ibarz spent two seasons at New Mexico Junior College and was a key factor in the Thunderbirds NJCAA National Championship run in 2005, compiling a 10-1 record with a 3.51 earned run average.
"Ricky comes from New Mexico Junior College and he was on a national championship team so we're hoping he picks up where he left off last year and comes in and does the same thing," stated Gawlik.
Two other junior college transfers, Ronnie Morales (Great Falls, MT/Barton County C.C.) and Ray Silva (Clearlake, CA/Santa Rosa J.C.), will begin their Bronc careers in 2006.
"Ronnie did a great job at the junior college he was at, helping them reach the playoffs. He's been throwing really well so far. Ray comes from a team that won the California state championship and was one of their top pitchers," added Gawlik.
Catchers
At the catcher position, the Broncs will be looking to replace Matt Eichel who appeared in all but one of the team's 52 games last season, starting 47 of them. A group of four newcomers and one returning letterman will be vying for time behind the dish.
Sophomore Brady Honeycutt (Rosebudd, TX/Rosebudd-Lott H.S.) is the only returning Bronc at the catcher position after seeing limited action as a freshman. Lyndon Bartosh (Bay City, TX/Navarro J.C.) comes from a junior college program that reached the regional round of the NJCAA tournament both years during his tenure. Bartosh should see playing time at multiple positions, including catcher, first base and designated hitter.
"Brady is a sophomore this year. He saw some time on the field last year and hopefully takes his game to a higher level this season. Lyndon is a transfer from Navarro and we've got him working at first base, catcher and designated hitter. We're looking for him to be able to swing the bat well for us," Gawlik said.
Mario Tremblay (Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada/Grambling State University) and Blake Whittlesey (Marble Falls, TX/UT-Brownsville) join Bartosh as transfers to the Broncs. Nick Spears (Austin, TX/Bowie H.S.) comes from a top high school program in Austin and is one of just two freshmen on the Bronc roster.
"Mario is battling for a catching position and he's been working real hard. He's a great student and he just needs to keep working. Blake can play first base, third base and catcher. He's a valuable player for us and should see action at all three of those spots," said Gawlik.
"Nick comes in as a freshman catcher with a good chance to be a quality catcher. He's worked really hard and is improving on a daily basis," added Gawlik.
Dan Calabro (South Royalton, VT/Northern Oklahoma College) comes to UTPA from Western Athletic conference member Louisiana Tech and will compete for time behind the plate.
"Dan transferred in from Louisiana Tech in January and is working really hard to be one of our catchers this year," stated Gawlik.
Infielders
Sophomore Zach Smith (Sanger, TX/Sanger H.S.) is the only Bronc infielder returning from last season's squad and should see plenty of playing time at first base this year. Smith appeared in 41 games as a freshman, starting 28 of them, and led the team in home runs with four.
"Zach is a red-shirt sophomore and had some great moments last year. We look for him to really step up and have a breakout year" Gawlik said.
T.J. Gilmer (Forney, TX/Forney H.S.) returns after a year away from the program to help fill the losses in the infield. Gilmer last appeared in a Broncs uniform for the 2004 season, in which he started 40 games and batted .290 and stole 12 bases.
"T.J. missed last season, but as a freshman he hit well. He is a utility guy who can play second, designated hitter and also play left field," commented Gawlik.
Junior college transfer Patrick Brooks (Vallejo, CA/Santa Rosa J.C.) should step in and provide solid play at the hot-corner along with Osiel Flores (Mission, TX/UT-Brownsville) who can play all over the infield.
"Patrick is coming in playing third base and he comes from a championship team at Santa Rosa. He plays great defense and is just a solid all around player. Osiel transferred from UT-Brownsville and can play second, shortstop or third. Right now he's probably our starting second baseman and is a very hard worker," stated Gawlik.
Rounding out the Broncs core of infielders will be transfer Chris Lozano (El Paso, TX/Phoenix J.C.) and freshman Abraham Garcia (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.).
"Chris comes from Phoenix Junior College and is a quality shortstop. He helps us defensively up the middle and we think he'll give us enough offense output to help our lineup as well. Abraham can play second or shortstop and he will get some playing time this year," Gawlik added.
Outfielders
The Bronc outfield will once again be led by Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) who was named to the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the National College Baseball Player of the Year, watch list along with 124 other players around the country. Alamia led the Broncs in multiple categories last season, batting .344 and becoming the program's all-time hits leader.
"Louie is a three-year starter coming back who has the career hits record in place and should just build on that. He's had a great career, winning all kinds of awards and we need him to have a good year. He's our lead-off man and he always does a good job," said Gawlik.
Other returners to the Bronc outfield will be senior Otis Powers (Brownsville, TX/Simon Rivera H.S.) and junior Cesar Pena (Harlingen, TX/Harlingen South H.S.). Powers saw the most playing time of his career in 2005 and hit six doubles while driving in 10 runs. Pena batted .262 in limited action last season, appearing in 18 games, starting 13.
"Otis is a returning letterman who can play right field, left field or designated hitter, so there are three places we can put him. He's a senior with a lot of experience and hopefully he will have a good year," Gawlik commented.
"Cesar is a junior this year. He's struggled but has shown signs of breaking out, he just needs to find some consistency. We're looking for him to bring his game to a higher level and really help us," stated Gawlik.
The Broncs will also welcome three junior college transfers to the outfield mix. Leighton Autrey (Stephenville, TX/Navarro J.C.) comes to the Rio Grande Valley after hitting .330 with five home runs, driving in 33 runs and stealing 12 bases at Navarro J.C.
"Leighton is a big guy with speed who is a great outfielder and can swing the bat real well. He should really help us with his speed and great outfield play," added Gawlik.
Joshua Talley (Great Falls, MT/New Mexico J.C.) figures to play a prominent role for the Broncs in either left or right field. Jason Buhagiar (Penngrove, CA/Santa Rosa J.C.) will provide solid depth in the UTPA outfield during his first season as a Bronc.
"Josh comes from a New Mexico Junior College national championship team. He's got great speed, is probably going to play right field. He's got some pop in his bat and he's a real hard worker. Jason is a solid player. He's one of those guys who makes all the plays and always plays hard. He does all the little things that make him a solid player," Gawlik said.
Schedule
The Broncs' 2006 schedule should rank among the toughest in the nation once again as they play seven teams who competed in NCAA Regional competition during the 2005 season, including two games against the National Champion Texas Longhorns. UTPA will host two early season tournaments that include schools such as Gonzaga, Oklahoma, Arkansas and TCU.
"Our schedule this year is great. Looking at our schedule from top to bottom, everybody is good. Our schedule should be ranked in the top-25 again this year because it was as high as 14 last year and it's basically the same schedule. If we don't play this type of schedule, we can win but not have a chance at reaching postseason play. However, if we do play this type of schedule and win, that is how we can be considered as a NCAA regional qualifier. It helps our recruiting because baseball players want to play a tough schedule and we play a quality schedule every year," stated Gawlik.
Conclusion
"We're excited about the season. This is the first time we've had a large upper-class. We have around 20 older, experienced guys on this team. We haven't had this since I've been here, so that's very exciting. It's a part of the building process and is a big step forward," concluded Gawlik.
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