UTB-TSC Capsules: Scorpions complete sweep of TWU
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College bounced back from an early 4-0 deficit to secure a 7-5 come-from-behind victory over Texas Wesleyan University on Sunday at Scorpion Field, completing a three-game sweep.
After the important Red River Athletic Conference series, UTB-TSC is alone in first place in the conference standings at 6-0. The Scorpions (11-5) and Rams (9-4) were tied for the conference lead with 3-0 records prior to Saturday.
On Saturday, the Scorpions pulled out a 4-3 win in 13 innings and followed that with a 4-1 win with the help of seven TWU errors.
“Overall, it was an outstanding weekend against a quality opponent,” Scorpions coach Bryan Aughney said. “I’m very proud of our guys for the resiliency they showed after a 13-inning marathon game to start things off. We found a way to come out on top.”
On Sunday, starting pitchers Adam Vera for UTB-TSC and Dillon Wilson for TWU were sharp early. The first two innings took only 20 minutes, with Vera throwing only 12 pitches and Wilson 18.
TWU got to Vera in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Alex Padilla. A two-run single by Stephen Niedwicki made it 4-0 in the fourth inning.
Down by four runs, UTB-TSC got on track in the fifth with a two-out rally. Singles by Joel Fernandez and Scott Frazier put Scorpions at first and third with two out. Fernandez scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1 while Zach Cordia was at the plate. On a 2-1 count, Cordia launched a towering shot to right-center field that hit the top of the fence and bounced over for a two-run home run, cutting the lead to 4-3.
A double by Colby Henscey, single by Matt Ginn and run-scoring single by Joel Fernandez tied the game at 4 in the sixth.
TWU went ahead 5-4 in the top of the seventh, but the Scorpions responded with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. The first run scored on a double play ball, the second on a passed ball, and the third on a run-scoring single by Kyle Douglass.
Vera went the first seven innings, throwing 99 pitches. He allowed eight hits, struck out five and walked four to improve his record to 4-0. Matt Leffler pitched the final two innings to record the save. The game ended on a double play when Christian Soberanes lined out to Kyle Douglass, who fired to first for a double play to erase Tyler King, who had singled.
The Scorpions recorded 11 hits, two each by Henscey, Ginn, Douglas and Frazier. Cordia and Frazier each scored twice.
Pitching was clutch in the three-game sweep. Rory Young pitched seven innings in the opener, and relievers Kale Wierenga and Baylr Bickerton pitched six shutout innings. On Sunday, Leffler was effective in two scoreless innings.
“Our pitching staff was very tough,” Aughney said. “Our starters did their jobs, and the bullpen was outstanding. Offensively, we found a way to get things to going. But we still have some work to do.”
UTB-TSC will make the one-hour trip to Edinburg to face NCAA Division I member University of Texas-Pan American at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
The next home games will be Feb. 24 and 25 when the Scorpions play host to Huston-Tillotson University in a four-game series. Doubleheaders are scheduled at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. The first three games will be conference games.
GOLF
Scorpions lead Lucio by two strokes after Round 1
Four teams are within four shots of each other after the first round of the Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. Intercollegiate Golf Tournament Sunday at the South Padre Island Golf Club.
The five teams in the field will begin the final round with progressive tee times starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday.
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College’s top four players shot a 295, which is two shots ahead of Schreiner University and University of St. Thomas. Rogers State University (Okla.) is four shots back with 299. Texas A&M International University is in fifth place with a 321.
“I thought if we played solid we would shoot 295 which is exactly what they did,” Scorpions golf coach Anthony Lopez said. “You can’t win a golf tournament after one day so tomorrow we need to show up ready to play. There are three teams within four shots of where stand I know they want to start their spring off with a win just like we do.”
The 295 score is 7 over par on the par-72, 6,931-yard course. Brothers Vince Cavazos and Eric Cavazos each shot 1-over 73s, and Adam Haley shot a 2-over 74 and Anthony Milligan carded a 3-over 75. Marcus Cavazos’ 78 did not count toward the team total.
TAMIU’s Andrew Richot shot a 68 to lead the individual medalist honors. Two other players also broke par in the first round.
