March 6, 2007

Box Score

The University of Texas-Pan American diamondmen recorded its second straight victory as the Broncs overcame a late 8-6 deficit en route to securing a 12-9 victory on Tuesday (Mar. 6) at Panther Field in Prairie View, TX.

The Broncs improved their overall record to 8-13 on the 2007 campaign while the Panthers fell to 13-7.

The Broncs took an early 2-0 lead on the Panthers after Matt Guzman (Corpus Christi, TX/UTSA) connected on a two-run single in the top half of the second inning, which allowed Patrick Brooks (Vallejo, CA/Santa Rosa J.C.) and Jonathon Hutcherson (Magnolia, TX/Lamar H.S.) to plate runs.

UTPA plated another two runs in the top half of the third frame when Roly Gonzalez (Miami, FL/UNC-Greensboro) scored on a Zach Smith (Sanger, TX/Sanger H.S.) groundout then Osiel Flores (Mission, TX/Univ. of Texas-Brownsville) touched home plate after Hutcherson connected on a double to left-centerfield.

Already possessing a 4-1 lead, the Broncs scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning when Gonzalez singled to left field then advanced to third base on a throwing error by the Panther leftfielder. On the miscue by the Panthers, Jerrod Dugas (Orange, TX/Little Cypress-Mauriceville H.S.) and Abraham Garcia (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.) were each able to reach home plate, allowing the Broncs to extend their lead to 6-1.

Just as quickly as the Broncs took the lead, Prairie View A&M was able to take control of the scoreboard when the Panthers scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning followed by a five-run spot in the bottom of the fifth frame. With seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings, the Panthers controlled the scoreboard by an 8-6 score.

UTPA tied the game up at 8-8 in the top half of the sixth inning when Flores doubled down the leftfield line, allowing Gonzalez and Jeremy Johnson (League City, TX/Alvin J.C.) to score on the play.

The Broncs broke the game open in the eighth inning when UTPA plated four runs in the frame to take a 12-8 lead, including a two-run home run from UTPA newcomer Dominic Tognietti (Katy, TX/James E. Taylor H.S.). The Panthers scored a single run in the bottom of the ninth inning as UTPA came away with the 12-9 victory.

Gonzalez led the Broncs with three hits and two runs scored while Flores posted two hits, two runs scored while driving in three runs. Tognietti added a home run and two RBI while Hutcherson connected on a pair of hits.

Hutcherson also recorded his first collegiate victory as the UTPA newcomer hurled 2.1 innings of action, allowing none of the seven hitters he faced to reach base.

The Broncs and Panthers will conclude their two-game set on Wednesday (Mar. 7) in Prairie View, TX.

UTPA Sports Information