March 17, 2009
What was thought to be another rough day at the yard took a turn for the better and became a close ball game going into the top of the seventh. The Broncs dropped a nail-biting 8-6 decision to Jackson State this Tuesday (March 17) afternoon at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
"Everything revolves around pitching and today we had a much better performance from the guys, but it is still not where we need to be," said head coach Manny Mantrana.
The Tigers immediately scored in the first three frames of play and posted five runs to give Jackson State a 5-1 advantage.
The Broncs were able to score one run in the bottom of the third off a RBI single to left center by Bonham Hough driving in Tim Tefft. Both ball clubs remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth were the Broncs scored three runs to come within one of the Tigers.
Jose Mendoza and Bonham Hough then scored on a two-run single to left field by third baseman Jordan Rutenbar to make the score 5-3. On the next play, Esequiel Garza doubled to left center to drive in Iradier Hernandez to make the score 5-4 going into the seventh.
Jackson State then brought in two more runs in the eighth to give the Tigers a 7-4 lead. The Tigers ended the inning on a line drive to the pitcher.
Once again the Broncs saw themselves within one of the Tigers in the eighth as the Broncs scored a run off a RBI single to right center by Nick Spears driving in Jordan Rutenbar. Then off a wild pitch, Ryan Vest was able to cross the plate to make the score 7-6.
The Tigers posted one run in the ninth off a solo homerun by Marvin McWhorter to make the score 8-6.
Centerfielder Bonham Hough finished the evening 3-for-4 with one RBI, one run and a double while Jordan Rutenbar went 2-for-5 adding two RBI and one run.
"Hough did really well today. He played well and hard today and it got him some hits," said Mantrana of Hough.
Jackson State's Marvin McWhorter finished 4-for-5 with one RBI, two runs and his seventh homerun of the season.
The Broncs will be back in action this Saturday, March 21 as they play host to Prairie View A&M in a double-header scheduled at 1:00 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
UTPA Sports Information
