BOX SCORE

EDINBURG, Texas –The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on as the Broncs took down the Scorpions from the University of Texas-Brownsville/Texas Southmost College with a 4-3 win Tuesday night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. The Broncs (5-0) have now won five straight and are off to their best start since 1988 when that edition of the Broncs also began 5-0. The Scorpions (10-3) have now lost two straight for the first time all season.

The Broncs took the lead in the second inning earning a pair of two out runs. Adrian De La Rosa hit a screamer down the left field line with a pair of Broncs aboard, scoring Mike McCarthy from second to give the Broncs the 1-0 advantage. Alex Carnall, who walked earlier in the frame, scored later on a Moya wild pitch for UTPA's second run of the game.

UTPA starter Kyle Kotchie (ND) was strong early allowing only a bunt single in his first five innings of the game. Kotchie pitched 5.2 innings, and did not allow an earned run walking only one and striking out six, but did not factor into the decision.

The Scorpions would rally off of Kotchie in the sixth due to some defensive breakdowns. Scorpion second baseman Nick Loftis led off the frame reaching second on a dropped fly ball by Bronc shortstop Tom Sicking. After Jorge Camorlinga sacrificed him over to third, he scored on an RBI single by Joel Fernandez, for the first Scorpion run of the game.

UTB/TSC took the lead in the sixth after another defensive miscue by UTPA. Felix Fanaselle hit an infield single to Bronc second baseman Roger Bernal, but would end up at second as Bernal threw the ball into the Scorpion dugout. The error allowed two Scorpions to cross home plate giving UTB/TSC a 3-2 lead.

“Our defense broke down a little bit in that sixth inning with the two errors that is something that is going to very uncharacteristic of this team this season, “ UTPA Head Coach Manny Mantrana said. “Our pitching was strong once again, (Kotchie) threw very well, and (Plunk) threw three innings of relief to shut them down. It's a 4-3 win and that's always good.”

UTPA wasted no time with a rally as they regained the lead in the bottom half of the sixth. Vinnie Mejia, who led off the inning with a single, scored on the tying run on an RBI single by Iradier Hernandez. Then with one out in the inning, Freshman sensation Colton Van Komen drove in another run on a pinch-hit fielders choice, scoring Stuart Macinnes to drive in the winning run.

Cody Plunk (W, 1-0) pitched 3.1 innings of relief, while striking out two and not allowing a Scoprion base runner to earn the victory. Julian Moya (L, 1-2) took the loss for UTB/TSC, but pitched well in spurts. The 5th year pitched six innings allowing four earned runs, walking two and striking out eight.

The Broncs will begin the month of March with two games away from Edinburg Baseball Stadium. UTPA travels to College Station to face the Aggies of Texas A&M for a pair of games on March 1st and 2nd. First pitch for the March 1st contest is scheduled for 6:35 PM. The Broncs return to Edinburg Baseball Stadium on March 8th for a doubleheader against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Game one of the twin bill is scheduled for a 3:00 PM first pitch.