RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros baseball team, which is receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association polls for the fifth week in a row, beat the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 7-2 on Friday at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,057.
 
Graduate student PSJA alum Jacob Sanchez led the Vaqueros (23-10, 14-5 SLC) by going 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored. Sophomore Easton Moomau went a career-high tying 3-for-4 with a run scored. Senior Steven Lancia went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. Sophomore Armani Raygoza went 2-for-5 with a run scored. Junior Rene Galván finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
The Vaqueros scored in each of the first four innings against Cody Templeton (3-3).
 
In the first, the Vaqueros loaded the bases with one out, setting up a run-scoring walk by Lancia and a sacrifice fly by junior Thomas Williams to make the score 2-0.
 
In the second, the Vaqueros put two on with two out before Sanchez hit an RBI-single to make the score 3-0.
 
In the third, Lancia led off with a double. One out later, senior Hank Warren hit a chopper back to the mound. Templeton threw to second, but shortstop Austin Cadroy couldn't make the catch, allowing Lancia to score to put the Vaqueros up 4-0.
 
In the fourth, the Vaqueros loaded the bases with nobody out. Lancia hit an RBI-single to center that was bobbled by centerfielder Cooper Schneider, allowing every runner to take an extra base. One out later, Warren hit a sacrifice fly to put the Vaqueros up 7-0.
 
Graduate student Angelo Cabral (4-0) cruised through the first four innings, allowing just two baserunners. He entered the fifth having retired seven in a row, but the first three batters of the inning singled, including one by Owen Hooper to drive-in a run. Two outs later, Dalton Mullins hit an RBI-double to bring the 'Jacks (9-24, 2-14 SLC) within 7-2.
 
Cabral pitched 6.0 innings, striking out five while allowing five hits and two walks.
 
Graduate student Jack Lopez pitched 3.0 scoreless innings for his first save.
 
UTRGV and Stephen F. Austin play the middle game of this series Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at UTRGV Baseball Stadium for Selena Night, presented by KYWW Puro Tejano 1530 AM and KGBT 98.5 La Preferida. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive free Selena cups. Selena music will be played throughout the game. There will also be a Selena look-a-like contest, presented by Vaquero Outfitters.
 
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com. Current UTRGV students receive free general admission with their student ID. All fans need to follow the clear bag policy, details of which can be found at GoUTRGV.com/ClearBag. Fans can find a full list of game day information at RallyTheValley.com. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
 
Fans can watch domestically on ESPN+ or internationally via Southland International.

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