May 11, 2009
In a record setting four hours and 26 minutes, the Broncs dropped a 28-22 decision in game one of the scheduled double-header followed by another 19-6 decision in game two this Monday (May 11) afternoon at Jackson Field in Greeley, Colorado.
Northern Colorado 28, UTPA 22
After dropping a 7-4 decision to the Bears the day before, the Broncs started off on the right foot as they held a strong lead throughout much of the contest. Heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Broncs held a 22-8 lead but allowed the Bears to score nine runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 21-17.
The Broncs were only able to score a single run in the eighth and gave up 11 runs in the bottom of the eighth to give the Bears a 28-22 victory over the Broncs.
UTPA walked a total of 20 batters and went through seven pitchers on the pitching staff. Starting pitcher A.J. Franco saw the most action on the mound with five and one-third innings of work but closing pitcher Doug Roth was tagged with the loss as he pitched two-thirds of an inning.
Designated hitter Jordan Rutenbar finished 5-for-6 with four RBI and runs, a double and a homerun, while Ryan Vest added a 4-for-5 plate appearance with three RBI and two runs.
Northern Colorado 19, UTPA 6
As the Broncs returned for game two of the double-header, UTPA began a bit sluggish as they gave up 14 runs in the first three frames of play. The Broncs pitching staff struggled as starting pitcher Mike Lankford gave up 14 runs on 16 hits.
The Broncs scored a lone run in the first followed by a five-run fifth later on in the contest. The Broncs lone run in the first came from Abraham Garcia as he crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Bivone.
The five runs in the fifth were scored by Garcia on a Jordan Rutenbar double, another double by Bivone allowing Rutenbar to score, a single to short allowing Bivone and Andrew Perez to score and a triple by Nick Spears allowing Ryan Vest to cross the plate.
Jordan Rutenbar added another 3-for-4 plate appearance with one RBI, run and a double. Ryan Vest finished a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run.
On a side note, Northern Colorado broke the school's record in doubles with 10.
The Broncs wrap up the four game series against Northern Colorado tomorrow (May 12) afternoon with first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m. CT.
UTPA Sports Information
