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EDINBURG – Reigning Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week and Broncs freshman Nikki Rowe alum Ryan Jackson pitched his second-straight gem to lead the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs baseball team to a 5-3 series-clinching victory over the Abilene Christian University Wildcats in the second game of the Al Ogletree Classic on Saturday at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
 
Jackson (1-1) pitched 6.2 innings, striking out four while allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. For the second start in a row, he did not issue a walk while throwing 72 of his 105 pitches (68.6 percent) for strikes.
 
The Wildcats (0-5) scored their only runs against Jackson in the seventh, starting when Colton Hall led off the inning with a solo home run that squeaked over the right field bullpen wall near the foul pole.
 
Jackson retired the next two batters before Heath Beasley reached on an error to extend the inning. Kyle Carroll doubled to knock out Jackson. Freshman Johnny Gonzalez came in and immediately threw a wild pitch to score a run, but after issuing a walk, Gonzalez bounced back to get Garrett Hale to line out to center to escape the threat.
 
After junior Matt Rigby pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, sophomore Nikki Rowe alum Andrew Padron allowed just a solo home run to Russell Crippen in the ninth for his second save.
 
The Broncs (4-2) gave Jackson all of the support he needed in the third. Senior Jesus Garcia drew a one-out walk and freshman McAllen Memorial alum Manny Loredo hit an RBI-triple. After sophomore Victor Garcia Jr. was intentionally walked, a passed ball allowed Loredo to score. Sophomore Jacob Huckabay followed with a single, and junior Cole Loncar hit an RBI-single. Senior Logan Landon then singled to load the bases. One out later, Correy Davis hit a grounder to third, but the throw to first sailed high, allowing two runs to score to make it 5-0.
 
The first four runs (three earned) came against Joe Gawrieh (0-1), who lasted 2.1 innings, giving up three hits and three walks while striking out one.
 
The Broncs and Wildcats complete this three-game series on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Admission is complimentary. The game was originally scheduled for 12 p.m., but was moved up due to a Winter Storm Watch scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Abilene area. The earlier start time will allow the Wildcats to get on the road sooner. Gates open at 8:30.

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