April 4, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team dropped game one 8-3 to the New Orleans Privateers on Friday (Apr. 4) at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

With the loss, the Broncs fell to 9-18 on the season while UNO improved 18-9 on the season.

The Privateers lead an attack early on the Broncs in the first inning scoring a run when Ryan Eden reached on an error and advanced to second on a ground rule double. Eden advanced to third on a single to center field by Mark McGonigle and crossed home plate on a passed ball by Broncs catcher Jordan Rutenbar, to make the score 1-0.

The Broncs got on board with a run on the bottom half of the inning when Roly Gonzalez led things off with a single to left field and advanced to second on an error by the catcher. Gonzalez tied the game at 1-1 following a Bonham Hough ground out to the shortstop.

UNO added run in the next inning when Nick Schwaner doubled down the right field line and advanced to third following a single by Josh Vander Hey. Schwaner made the score 2-1 after a double steal attempt by the Privateers.

After a scoreless third inning, UNO connected on three runs on two hits, to make the score 5-1. The Privateers added their sixth run of the game in the fifth inning when Eden doubled down the left line, stole third and scored following a Giavotella, to put UNO up 6-1.

The Broncs got things going in the bottom seventh plating two runs on three hits to cut the deficit 6-3. Nick Bourn led the inning with a single to center field and advanced to second on a walk issued to Jose Mendoza. A sacrifice bunt by Andrew Perez advanced Bourn to third base and moved Mendoza to second. Bourn scored on a Jeremy Johnson ground out and Mendoza gave the Broncs their third run of the game after Hough singled to right field.

UNO collected a run in the eighth inning and added an insurance run in ninth to close out the Broncs 8-3 in game-one of a three game series.

Offensively the Broncs were led by Gonzalez who finished the game 2-for-4 with one run while Hough went 1-for-4 with one RBI.

The Privateers were led by Schwaner who went 4-for-5 to go with two runs scored and one RBI.

Bronc hurler Cody Cisper received the loss, dropping his record to 1-5 overall. Cisper finished the game, pitching six innings, allowing seven hits, six runs - three earned and striking out eight batters.

Justin Garcia captured the win for the Privateers, pitching seven innings, allowing eight hits, three runs - two earned and improving his record to 3-0 on the season.

The Broncs will be back in action tomorrow for day two of the three-game series with start time slated for 3:05 p.m. at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

UTPA Sports Information