March 16, 2009

After a three-day long road trip, the Broncs (3-16) returned to Edinburg Baseball Stadium to play host to the Jackson State Tigers for a two-game series on Monday, March 16. The Broncs suffered a harsh 23-2 loss this Monday afternoon.

"We didn't compete tonight. When you don't pitch, play defense or hit it is going to be hard to win," said head coach Manny Mantrana. "Tomorrow is a new day, we are going to dress and go at it again."

Injuries and pitching have plagued the Broncs these past four games without center fielder Billy Donaho and shortstop Andrew Perez.

Pitching wasn't on the Broncs side today as starting pitcher David De Leon gave up 10 runs on seven hits and walked four batters and was given his fourth loss of the season. The Jackson State Tigers posted 18 runs in the first six innings of play.

The Broncs were then able to keep the Tigers scoreless in the seventh inning.

The Broncs posted a run in the opening inning as Iradier Hernandez scored on a RBI single down the right field line by Garrett Bivone to make the score 2-1 Jackson State. The Broncs remained scoreless up until the fourth as first baseman Garrett Bivone scored on a double down the left field line by Jose Mendoza.

UTPA then made a defensive change in the sixth as they moved Jose Mendoza to second, Garrett Bivone to third and designated hitter Jordan Rutenbar to first due to an injury on Abraham Garcia.

Jackson State scored five more runs in the eighth to give the Tigers a 23-2 lead on the Broncs.

Iradier Hernandez and Garrett Bivone each finished 3-for-4 with Bivone adding one RBI and a run.

The Tigers Frank Solis finished 4-for-6 for Jackson State with four RBI, two runs and four hits.

The Broncs wrap-up the two-game series against Jackson State on Tuesday, March 17 with first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m. CT.

UTPA Sports Information