RGV Capsules: UTPA selects Downing as next women's basketball coach

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American has chosen Denny Downing as its next women’s basketball coach.

Downing replaces DeAnn Craft who resigned May 15 after she said she did not feel she had the support of interim athletic director Ricky Vaughn.

Downing beat out two other finalists for the job – Stephen F. Austin assistant Taqueta Braxton and West Georgia University coach Craig Roden.

"I’ll say this, all three of our finalists were extremely qualified," Vaughn said. "(Downing’s) experience as a head coach really stood out. … With such limited resources, he was able to take Commerce to the Elite Eight."

A national search for a new coach almost didn’t happen. In late May, Vaughn discussed with former Lady Broncs associate head coach Jill Davis about her taking the helm of the team but a formal offered was never made.

"I just felt that we should to go ahead with a search to see what type of candidate pool we could come up with," Vaughn said.

Downing said he preferred not to talk about what may have transpired with the program in the past.

"I am just glad to have this opportunity," he said.

Downing comes to UTPA after seven years at the helm of Division-II Texas A&M-Commerce. He also served as coach at Collin Community College from 2001-02 and as an assistant at Drake University (1994-96) and at Fort Hays State University (1993-94).

From 1991-93 he served as both the men’s and women’s head basketball coach at Ranger Junior College.

Downing helped turned around a once struggling Commerce program, leading the program this past year to its third straight winning for the first time in school history. He also led Commerce to the Division II Elite Eight in 2007.

Downing’s hiring continues a trend in UTPA opting for non-Division I coaches in its major coaching searches.

Ryan Marks, who was hired as the men’s coach in May, arrived from Division II St. Edwards and baseball coach Manny Mantrana came to UTPA via NAIA St. Thomas University in Miami.

"I do think you have to look at the head coaching experience," Vaughn said. "I do think that tends to give them an advantage."

The new coach’s late start will not make recruiting easy for a team that has never had a winning season and that has some spots to fill. He is also not certified to recruit as a D-I coach and will need to pass an exam for that. For now, Keelah Wilson, a hold over from Craft’s staff is doing the recruiting, Vaughn said.

"I have to see what is there, what we have," Downing said. "It will be beneficial for us to keep with what we have and then see what our needs are."

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com.

Baseball

WhiteWings catch Roadrunners with victory

EDINBURG – The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings moved into tie for the fourth and final playoff spot with the Edinburg Roadrunners following a 10-6 win tonight at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

The WhiteWings (19-22) struck against Eric Montoya with one out in the first. Denys Lantigua singled, moved to second in a groundout and scored on a single by Brian Nichols to make it 1-0.

The Roadrunners (19-22) tied it up against Reymond Cruz in the bottom of the inning. Wilmer Pino led off with a bloop-double into center field and moved to third on a groundout. Bryon Smith reached on an error as Pino scored to make it 1-1.

The WhiteWings took the lead back in the top of the second. With one out, Sandy DeLeon doubled. One out later, Agustin Septimo hit an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error that allowed DeLeon to score. Lantigua followed with an RBI-single to make it 3-1.

In the third, Angel Reyes hit a double and Joaquin Rodriguez followed with his third home run of the season to make it 5-1.

Reyes led off the fifth with a double. One out later, DeLeon singled, moving Reyes to third. The WhiteWings pulled off a double-steal to make it 6-1.

The Roadrunners got a pair of unearned runs in the fifth. With two outs, Hunter Owen reached on a two-out error and moved to second on a wild pitch. Pino followed with an RBI single and Robert Matlock hit an RBI double to make it 6-3.

The Roadrunners tied it up in the seventh. Osiel Flores drew a leadoff walk, Owen singled and Pino hit a two-run double to knock out Cruz. One out later, Smith struck out against Ryan Dixon (3-2), but reached on a wild pitch, moving Pino to third. Another wild pitch scored Pino to make it 6-6.

Casey Allen led off the top of the eighth with a single against Brian Martin (1-2). After a sacrifice bunt, Martin intentionally walked Lantigua before Justin Holloway singled to load the bases. Nichols grounded in a fielder’s choice, erasing Allen, but keeping the bases loaded. Bryan Heaston came in and allowed a two-run single to Welinson Baez to make it 8-6.

The WhiteWings added two insurance runs in the ninth. Rodriguez hit a leadoff double, and after moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, scored on an Allen double. After a walk to Septimo, a groundout moved the runners up and a wild pitch scored Allen.

Julio Santana pitched two scoreless innings to pick up his league-leading eleventh save.

The WhiteWings and Roadrunners play game two of this four-game series at 7 p.m. Friday. Right-hander Sendy Vasquez (1-3) is expected to face right-hander Tim Haines (4-3).