Box Score

EDINBURG – After getting held without a base runner through the first five and two-thirds innings, the Broncs offense erupted to send the University of Texas-Pan American baseball team past the University of North Dakota 8-5 on Saturday at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
 
It is the Broncs' (21-27, 11-9 WAC) fifth-straight WAC series win.
 
North Dakota (9-22, 8-9 WAC) starter Zack Muckenhirn retired the first 17 batters he faced. With two outs in the sixth, however, and the Broncs down 2-0, junior Evan Mason broke up the perfect game with a five-pitch walk. After an error and another walk loaded the bases, senior Alex Howe came through with a line drive single to center field to score two runs. A bobble in center allowed the third run to score to put the Broncs up 3-2.
 
North Dakota scored three runs to take the lead right back in the top of the seventh, but with one out in the bottom of the inning, the Broncs loaded the bases to knock our Muckenhirn. Brock Johnson (0-1) came in out of the bullpen to face pinch-hitter and redshirt freshman Edinburg alum Edgar Cordon, who served the first pitch he saw into right field to drive-in a run. Junior Jesus Garcia followed with a game-tying RBI-fielder's choice, and then sophomore PSJA alum Bryan Ramirez singled home a run to give the Broncs the lead and knock out Johnson. Jeff Campbell moved from first base to pitcher, and on the second pitch he threw, Howe hit a two-run triple to give the Broncs their three-run cushion.
 
Howe finished 2-for-4 with a career-high tying four RBI.
 
That made a winner of freshman Nikki Rowe alum Andrew Padron (2-3), who pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out three.
 
The Broncs and North Dakota complete this three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Any fan that brings four non-perishable food items will receive a free ticket as part of the Broncs' partnership with the Food Bank RGV known as "Strike Out Hunger."
 
Additionally, it's Star Wars Day. Any fans wearing Star Wars gear will receive free admission.
 
Gates open at 12.

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