BOX SCORE

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team allowed four unanswered runs to the ninth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, surrendering an early one-run lead in a 4-1 loss Tuesday night at Olsen Field. For the Broncs it was their first loss of the 2011 season.

The Broncs (5-1) had a pair of base runners in the first inning, however Aggie starter Estevan Uriegas erased both from the bases on pick-off moves. Angel Ibañez, who reached on a walk, was caught stealing, as Uriegas threw behind him on his run to second. Stuart MacInnes singled with two outs in the inning and was caught in a run down and was tagged out at first base to end the UTPA first.

The Broncs took the lead early in the second inning when junior slugger Vinnie Mejia hit a solo blast, his first of the season, over the left field wall on a 2-0 count to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead. However, the Broncs would have just one more hit the rest of the game.

The Aggies (7-1) tied the game in the bottom of the third on an unearned run off UTPA starter Jonathan Delgado. Aggie shortstop Kenny Jackson reached with one out on a fielding error by UTPA second baseman Roger Bernal. Two batters later TAMU centerfielder Krey Bratsen hit a chopper past a diving Mejia at third to score Jackson for the equalizer.

The Aggies bats would stay silent until the sixth inning when they scored a pair of two-out runs to grab the lead. First baseman Eric House began the Aggie rally with a two-out single to left field. Kevin Gonzalez then doubled down the left field line to put runners at second and third for Brandon Wood. Wood singled up the middle on a 1-0 count to drive in House and Gonzalez and put the Aggies in front 3-1. TAMU added a run in the seventh for insurance.

The Broncs were held to just three hits by Aggie pitching. The Aggie bullpen pitched four perfect innings of relief with Ross Stripling striking out two Broncs in the ninth for his third save of the season. Nick Fleece (1-0) pitched a perfect sixth to earn the victory while Uriegas, who allowed just three hits in five innings of work, did not factor into the decision.

Delgado (L, 1-1) took the defeat for UTPA pitching 5.2 innings on Tuesday and allowed five hits and two earned runs walking one and striking out four.

The two in-state rivals battle again on Wednesday afternoon at Olsen Field for a 3:05 first pitch. Senior righty Cody Plunk (1-0, 2.25 ERA) will take the ball for UTPA while the Aggies will counter with sophomore southpaw Dylan Mendoza (1-0, 1.29 ERA).