March 16, 2004
Box Score
EDINBURG, Texas - Tony Ortiz ripped a two-out two-RBI doulbe into the right center field gap to give Texas-Pan American a 7-5 victory over Texas-Arlington in the first game of a two-game series Tuesday evening at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
The Broncs (13-11) pushed a run across in the third inning as Aaron Flowers started the inning with a double down the left field line. After moving to third on a bunt base hit, Flowers came into to score on a Marco Garza groundout.
UTA (11-8) quickly responded with a two-spot in the fourth as Paul Bruder got on via the bunt and moved to second when Daniel Lenihan's sacrifice bunt was thrown into center field by the pitcher Justin Bogy. Daniel Macha moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt of his own before Carey Avants plated both runners with a double to right center field.
UTPA regained the lead in the home half of the fourth inning as Philip Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a Matt Eichel single to right field. Eichel would advance to second on a passed ball and come into score on a Floweres double just over the head of third baseman Macha.
The Mavs took the lead in the seventh inning as Aaron Batlle started the inning with a base on balls and moved to second on a Hunter Pence single through the left side. Ryan Nelson walked on four pitches to load the bases before Paul Bruder pushed across the first run on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Daniel Lenihan plated the go ahead run with a single to right field.
The Broncs made the lead short lived as with one out, a pair of back-to-back singles chased reliever Blake Pierson from the game. Mike Snapp came in to the next out before hitting Rodriguez. Eichel made the Mavs pay as he delivered a two-run single through the left side to put UTPA up by one.
UTA evened the score in the eighth inning after Brett Lewis singled passed the bag at third and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Pence was walked intentionally to face Nelson who made them pay by ripping a 1-2 pitch up the middle for a run-producing single.
Pence led the Mavericks with three hits, while Nelson and Bruder each added two. Flowers led the Broncs with three doubles.
Mike Snapp (1-1) took the loss by allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work. Johnny Gibson (2-0) picked up the victory by allowing one run on three hits in two innings of work. Ricky Broyles earned his sixth save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Mavericks and Broncs play game two of the two-game series Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
