UTB-TSC Capsules: Scorpions set to go pink tonight
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College takes a break from Red River Athletic Conference play when the Scorpions play host to Texas A&M International at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Scorpion Field in Breast Cancer Awareness Night.
The Scorpions are 21-17 and 4-2 in RRAC play. TAMIU, a member the NCAA Division II's Heartland Conference, is 11-25 and 10-25 in conference play. Throwing out the ceremonial first pitches will be UTB-TSC administrative assistant Debbie Abrego-Medina, 43. and breast cancer survivor Vangie Henggeler, 85.
UTB-TSC's bats have been on fire lately. Since a 3-0 conference-opening loss to Texas College, the Scorpions have scored 65 runs and rapped 76 hits. They broke a school record with 19 hits in a 19-5 win over Huston-Tillotson. The team batting average is now .324 and .379 in conference games.
Many of the hits have been for extra bases. In conference games, the Scorpions have seven homers, four triples and 22 doubles. The Scorpions have broken the team record in home runs with 21.
Matt Ginn leads the team with six homers and Brian Bustos has five.
Jorge Camorlinga leads the Scorpion regulars in hitting with a .388 average, yet the three catchers on the team have higher averages. Gus Henggeler is hitting .435, Jeff Allen .389, and Gilbert Puente .387.
Robert Mariscal, who has seen more playing time at third base is hitting .352. Four regulars are also hitting above the .300 mark -- Matt Warner at .346, Brian Bustos at .315, Peter Maldonado at .312, and Walter Blume at .302.
Following Tuesday's game, the Scorpions will be home Friday and Saturday, April 9-10, against Jarvis Christian College, the final three home games of the regular season. The Scorpions will be home for a scrimmage against Laredo Community College April 13.
Bustos named RRAC player of the week
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College senior Brian Bustos had a breakout weekend to earn Red River Athletic Conference Player of the Week recognition for the week of March 29 though April 4.
The senior first baseman/designated hitter from El Paso, homered in each game over the weekend as the Scorpions won two of three games on the road against RRAC foe Huston-Tillotson.
He opened with a 5 for 6 hitting performance including three-extra base hits and a team-record seven RBIs as UTB-TSC won, 19-5. He tacked on one solo homer in the middle game before exploding again in the final game with three hits and five RBIs. He finished the week going 9 for 13 at the plate with 13 RBIs and a slugging percentage of 1.538.
The Scorpions are 4-2 in RRAC South play and hold an overall mark of 21-17.
David Pooler of Bacone College was named RRAC pitcher of the week..
Men's Soccer
Ornsby signs with Scorpions
Padraic Ormsby of Dublin, Ireland, a member of several Irish elite teams, has signed a Red River Athletic Conference Letter of Intent to join the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's soccer team.
Ormsby is playing for the Shamrock Rovers of the Football Association of Ireland, as part of the Ireland Under-19 team. He has also played on the Ireland U-17 teams that reached the European championship final.
"This is pretty big time, to be playing at this level," Scorpions men's soccer coach Dan Balaguero said. "I'm delighted for Padraic, because he is obviously a top class player who we are expecting big things from. When a kid represents his national team at the U19 level you have to be pretty special."
Ormsby has represented Ireland at various age group levels 27 times. He played for Boehemian FC from July 2008 to February 2009, and played for Hamilton Academical from February through June 2009. Balaguero got to see him play when he visited Europe during the Christmas holidays.
"He is a player who can operate any where across the back or midfield," Balaguero said. "I was fortunate to spend time with him and his family, The boy is a winner, who knows what it takes to be successful. I look forward to working with him here."
