EDINBURG – Junior Anthony Gomez scored from second on a sacrifice fly to send The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley baseball team past Eastern Michigan University (EMU) 5-4 on Friday at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
 
With the game tied at 4 in the eighth, Gomez drew a leadoff six-pitch walk from Thomas House (0-1). One out later, freshman Zach Parks singled to move Gomez to second. Senior Cris Castillo pinch-hit and lifted a fly ball to deep centerfield. Gomez took off from second, and as the throw came in toward the cut-off man, Gomez never stopped running, scoring to give UTRGV (11-8) the lead.
 
That made a winner of junior Nikki Rowe alum Ryan Jackson (3-0), who pitched two perfect innings of relief, striking out two.
 
EMU (5-11) took a 1-0 lead in the second on a passed ball, but UTRGV tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-out single by senior Noah Lee.
 
UTRGV took the lead in the third on a two-out double by senior Austin Siener before EMU scored three runs in the fourth on a Nate Jones single, a safety squeezem and an error to take a 4-2 lead.
 
UTRGV tied the game in the seventh on a two-run home run by sophomore Elijah Alexander.
 
Four UTRGV hitters had multi-hit games, led by sophomore Coleman Grubbs, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Siener, who also went 3-for-4. In his collegiate debut, Parks finished 2-for-4. Alexander also went 2-for-4.
 
UTRGV and EMU wrap up this three-game series and the staycation with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
 
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the first 250 fans in attendance will receive green koozies. Fans 21 and older can also enjoy green colored beverages.
 
Fans that present proof of residency in Willacy or Starr County such as a driver's license or electricity bill at the box office can purchase specially priced tickets of $3 each.
 
Gates open at 12.

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