RIO GRANDE VALLEY – With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the final inning, Gray pitcher Evan Maldonado delivered and reacted to a line drive headed straight for him. The ball sped into his glove to record the second out before delivering the underhand toss to first as the baserunner was caught between the bags to end the game.
 
Game one of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team's annual Orange and Gray World Series ended in a 3-3 draw after five innings Wednesday at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
 
Orange jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when junior Thomas Williams doubled to score senior Erick Martinez, who was on second after a leadoff double. Later in the inning, senior Milo Behrens scored Williams on a sac fly.
 
Gray answered back with three runs, freshman Derek Almeda brought home sophomore Easton Moomau with a sac fly after Moomau was hit by a pitch and sophomore Armani Raygoza advanced him to third with a double. Junior Damien Whitfield scored Raygoza on a sac fly to center. Sophomore Rudy Gonzalez singled to score Almeda and take the lead.
 
After a scoreless third inning by Orange starter senior EJ Miramontes and Gray senior Anthony Tejada, orange evened the game at three in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Orlando Samaniego reached first with a leadoff single before advancing to third on a single by Junior Steven Oliva. Samaniego scored the tying run on a wild pitch from Tejada.
 
The Orange and Gray World Series will continue with game two tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. and game three taking place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be held at UTRGV Baseball Stadium and is open to the public.
 
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