EDINBURG, TEXAS – The University of Texas Pan American baseball team suffered its third straight loss after dropping the opening game of a four-game series to the Utah Valley University Wolverines with a score of 5-2 Friday night at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

Utah Valley (20-20, 12-1) got two runs in the bottom of the first to get the scoring started in the ball game. With two outs, Goose Kallunki and Kai Hatch hit RBI singles giving the Wolverines the 2-0 lead.

The Broncs (19-10, 8-9) responded in the bottom of the first with a run of their own. Alex Carnall led off the inning with a single and then came into score on an Angel Ibanez RBI single to left center field making it 2-1 Utah Valley.

Austin Heaps extended the Wolverines lead in the top of the fifth with an RBI single that plated Cole McWhorter from third making it 3-1.

In the top of the seventh, Utah Valley got an RBI ground out from Chris Benson and a sacrifice fly from Heaps to push their lead to 5-1.

Texas Pan American added a run in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single by Mike McCarthy that allowed Stuart MacInnes to score. While the Broncs got the tying run to the plate, Ty Hansen got the final out of the game to pick up his first save of the season and giving the Wolverines the 5-2 victory.

Jeremy Gendlek (5-3) picked up the win after pitching eight innings and allowing just one run, which was unearned. Luis Flores (2-4) pitched well and kept the Broncs in the game but picked up the loss after allowing five runs in six innings and striking out four.

UTPA and Utah Valley will continue their four-game series with a double-header Saturday afternoon at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.