Feb. 26, 2008

Sam Houston State survived a fierce last-inning comeback to defeat host team University of Texas-Pan American, 6-5, late Sunday and climax the Al Ogletree Classic baseball tournament.

Zach Neal pitched the first five innings, earning the victory with a four-hitter. He left with a 5-1 lead. His three relief pitchers gave up seven more hits, plus five more runs.

Texas-Pan American loaded the bases twice in the ninth inning. They scored twice, on a double by Nick Bourn and a single by Nick Spears. Then the Broncs lost with the bases still loaded.when the third SHS relief pitcher forced a strikout.

Jeremy Johnson, Roly Gonzalez and Bourn all collected two hits among UTPA's 11. The Broncs outhit SHS by four, but could not overcome their five errors to the winners' two. There were no home runs in this 18-hit game.

Sam Houston State leaped to a 3-0 lead in the first two innings and never was behind, although the Broncs kept nibbling at the lead until the final minute.

Todd Sebeck, the son of former Bronc star Craig Sebeck a generation ago, helped defeat his father's alma mater with a hit plus scoring two runs, the winning difference.

Texas State won the tournament by edging three opponents, climaxed by a 5-4 win over Sam Houston State. Illinois and Sam Houston State vied for second place at 2-1 with Illinois of the Big 10, the only non-Texas team. The Fighting Illinis came within two runs of winning the tournament, having lost to winner Texas State, 2-1.All the other teams tied with 1-2 records.

The Broncs left Monday noon to play at noon Tuesday and Wednesday, single games against The University of Texas at Austin, where the Longhorns' classic ballpark. Dischi-Falk, has been rebuilt on the old site

UTPA Sports Information