UTB-TSC: Scorpions split twinbill after Wildcats' dramatic Game 2 win

Wiley College scored a single run in the top of the ninth inning and held off a University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College rally for a 6-5 win over the Scorpions in the second game of a Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader Friday at Scorpion Field.

The loss in the second game of the doubleheader ended the Scorpions' 12-game winning streak. UTB-TSC won the first game handily, 9-2.

UTB-TSC (24-6, 14-3 RRAC) and Wiley (13-9, 10-7) finish their three-game series with a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Scorpion Field.

Game 1: UTB-TSC 9, Wiley 2: Danny Gidora was sharp again, although the numbers were not as outstanding as in previous outings. He allowed a third-inning solo homer and a harmless run in the seventh inning.

His record is now 7-0, which ties him for the nation's lead in pitching. Both runs were earned, making the first time this year that he has allowed two earned runs in a game. He has allowed four earned runs this year and his earned run average, which was 0.46 starting the day, is 0.78.

UTB-TSC scored three runs in the first, second, and fifth innings to take control of the game from the onset.

The Scorpions collected 11 hits. Joel Fernandez, Felix Fanaselle, Peter Maldonado and Jeff Allen each had two hits. Jorge Camorlinga, Fanaselle, Maldonado and Gus Henggeler each drove in two runs. Both of Maldonado's hits were doubles. Matt Warner and Fanaselle each scored twice.

UTB-TSC stole three more bases in the first game, with Warner swiping two and Camorlinga one.

Game 2: Wiley 6, UTB-TSC 5: The second game was the longest game of the year for the Scorpions, lasting 3 1/2 hours. It could have gone longer into extra innings, but Wiley made the final two plays of the game to save the victory.

Wiley took a 4-0 lead in the second inning, capped by a three-run homer by Eduardo Fernandez. UTB-TSC came back with three runs in the fifth inning to make it 4-3, and Warner's two-run homer in the sixth put the Scorpions on top.

Wiley tied the game at 5 in the seventh on a solo homer by Rosnay Liendo and went ahead in the ninth inning on a solo homer by Danny Zorrilla, 6-5. UTB-TSC had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but relief pitcher Christopher Dowdell retired the final two Scorpions.

UTB-TSC outhit Wiley 12-9, with Warner going 3 for 5 with three RBIs to lead the attack. Fanaselle and Gilberto Puente each had two hits.

Zach Armstrong pitched well for the Scorpions in eight innings of work. He allowed five earned runs, eight hits, struck out eight and walked three. Adam Vera (0-1) pitched the ninth inning and took the loss, surrendering the go-ahead homer.