March 31, 2009
Late rallies for the Broncs cost them as the Lamar Cardinals swept the Broncs in the double-header this Tuesday (March 31) evening at Vincent-Beck Stadium as the Broncs dropped a 9-6 decision in game one and a 12-5 decision in game two.
Lamar 9, UTPA 6
As both ball clubs kept a quiet first two innings, the Cardinals scored two runs in the third but the Broncs answered back with a lone run in the fourth as Jordan Rutenbar grounded out to the shortstop allowing Bonham Hough to score to put the Broncs within one.
In the top of the fifth, Abraham Garcia recorded his first homerun of the season as he blasted a shot to right center driving in Tim Tefft. The Broncs allowed Lamar to score two in the bottom of the fifth to keep Lamar with a one-run advantage.
The Broncs earned their first lead of the contest in the seventh as Jose Mendoza crossed the plate as Bonham Hough reached on a fielder's choice and Abraham Garcia reached safely to second. UTPA scored their next run as Garrett Bivone reached on a fielder's choice driving in Hough to make the score 5-4.
With some light at the end of the tunnel, the Broncs scored a lone run in the top of the ninth on a single to center by Garrett Bivone driving in Jose Mendoza to give the Broncs a 6-4 advantage.
All the Broncs needed was three outs and no runs but unfortunately the Cardinals scored five runs all on homeruns.
Along with his first homerun of the season, Garcia finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs while closer Tim Tefft was charged with the loss.
Lamar 12, UTPA 5
The Broncs were quick to put a run on the board as Abraham Garcia homered to left center for the second time today. UTPA was able to keep the Cardinals scoreless until the third as Lamar posted a lone run to tie the score at one.
Once again the Broncs were troubled with pitching as UTPA gave up five runs in the fourth and another six in the sixth to give the Cardinals a 12-5 lead.
The Broncs did see some relief in the sixth as they drove in four runs. The first two came off a homerun to left center by Bonham Hough driving in Abraham Garcia with the following run coming off a homerun by Garrett Bivone to center.
The final run for the Broncs came from Iradier Hernandez as he crossed the plate on a sac bunt by Ryan Vest.
Garcia added another 2-for-4 game along with one RBI, two runs and a homerun while Nathan Molina was charged with his fourth loss of the season.
The Broncs next travel to Houston, Texas as they face the Cougars in a three-game series this Friday (April 3) with first pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. CT.
UTPA Sports Information
