EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team beat Portland 2-1 in the Al Ogletree Classic to earn a series split on Saturday at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
 
Sophomore Mercedes alum Oliver Closner IV led UTRGV (4-3) by driving in two runs with a double in the second against Kevin Baker (0-1) and nailing three would-be base stealers.
 
Senior Anthony Gomez scored on Closner's hit while finishing 2-for-3.
 
Junior Kevin Palm (1-0) earned the win by pitching 4.2 innings of shutout relief, striking out five while allowing just four hits without a walk.
 
Junior Gabe Constantine recorded the final four outs for his first save, striking out two.
 
Portland (5-2) scored its lone run with two outs in the third on a single by Chad Stevens.
 
UTRGV closes out the Al Ogletree Classic against North Dakota State on Sunday at 3 p.m. Portland faces North Dakota State at 11 a.m. The UTRGV game features the Strike Out Hunger promotion. Fans donating five non-perishable food items at every Sunday home game receive free general admission. Donations benefit the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.Gates open at 10.

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