May 7, 2010
Final Stats
In a late rally by Houston Baptist, the Texas-Pan American Broncs (14-27, 3-13) dropped a 7-6 heartbreak in the ninth inning this Friday (May 7) afternoon at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
Offensively, Vincent Mejia led the Broncs going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Alex Carnall finished 3-for-4 and a double.
"We came up short today, but it was a great game. We extended our lead on Bryant's double, but they (HBU) crept up on us," said head coach Manny Mantrana.
"We did everything we had to do (to win); we hit and threw the ball well. Tomorrow, we'll take it one game at a time."
After a week long hiatus, the Broncs were off to a slow start remaining scoreless in the first two frames and keeping Houston Baptist scoreless for the first four.
Texas-Pan American scored singles in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to jump ahead of the Huskies 3-1. UTPA extended its lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh on a double by Bryant Elliott driving in Vincent Mejia and Abraham Garcia.
In the top of the ninth, the Huskies rallied from behind to tie the score at five with three runs scored. With bases loaded, Houston Baptist's Derek Smith doubled to score Jake Gonzalez and Kolby Arnst.
With no outs on the board, the Broncs made a call to the bullpen and replaced Doug Roth with Guadalupe Barrera. Barrera then walked Paul Prestera to load the bases. He then gave up a single (Zeke Zikeli), but the Broncs pulled off an amazing play from left field as Abraham Garcia threw to Mejia and Mejia to Mike McCarthy to tag Derek Smith at home for the first out of the inning.
The Huskies managed to score two more runs before Barrera retired the inning on two strikeouts. Barrera was also tagged with the loss (1-4) in one inning of work and two runs given up.
The Broncs built up some momentum in the bottom of the ninth as Angel Ibanez led off with a close single down the left field line. Following Ibanez, the Huskies walked Garcia only after Ibanez had stolen second.
Ibanez then scored on a RBI single by Vincent Mejia to come within one (7-6) of the Huskies and no outs on the board. The Huskies were quick to retire the inning on a double play following Ibanez's run and a ground out to the pitcher.
Houston Baptist's Tyler McCarty was awarded the win (1-3) in 1 1/3 innings of work. McCarty gave up one run on three hits. Matt Warren, who closed out the contest, notched his first save of the season pitching an effective ninth inning.
The Broncs continue the four-game set with a doubleheader tomorrow (May 8) with first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m.
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