March 1, 2009

An early lead for the Broncs (0-7) in the fourth meant a late comeback from the Lumberjacks as SFA defeated UTPA 10-7 in the final day of the Al Ogletree Classic this Sunday (Mar.1) afternoon at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

"We played great offensively and we met the goals we set before the game, which was the first time all season. Overall we played great, but that one inning (the eighth) was the turning point of the game," said head coach Manny Mantrana.

The Broncs got their first run of the tournament on a run by Andrew Perez as Ryan Vest doubled on a close hit down the right field line. With two outs on the board, Bonham Hough singled up the middle bringing in Vest and catcher Nick Spears to make the score 3-0.

The Broncs held onto their lead in the third as the `Jacks brought in two runs in the third.

In the bottom of the fourth, with bases loaded, Garrett Bivone singled to right field bringing in Jose Mendoza and Hough to make the score 5-2. Two at-bats later, with Perez up to bat, he singled to left field bringing in Abraham Garcia to give the Broncs a 6-2 lead.

The Broncs made the final run of the evening in the sixth as Rutenbar was brought in by Nick Spears as reached on an error by the shortstop to make the score 7-3.

SFA released what they had been holding back all afternoon long as they scored six runs in the eighth to take a 10-7 lead on the Broncs.

Shortstop Andrew Perez finished the evening 2-for-3 driving in one run, while teammate Garrett Bivone was 3-for-6 with two RBI's.

"Garrett played well, especially coming off an injury. To be hitting that well and quickly so soon is great for us," said Mantrana of Bivone.

SFA's Tanner Hines finished the evening 3-for-4 with two runs.

The Broncs hit the road as they travel to Corpus Christi, TX for the Whataburger Classic this Friday (Mar. 6). The Broncs will face Alabama at 6:00 p.m. CT.

UTPA Sports Information