UTB-TSC Capsules: Broncs edge Scorpions 4-3
EDINBURG - The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College scored three unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a brief lead only to see The University of Texas-Pan American regain it and hold on for a 4-3 win Tuesday at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
It was the fifth and closest meeting in the last three years between the two schools. UTPA leads the "Battle of the Orange," 5-0.
UTPA (5-0) scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, with one run scoring on a wild pitch on a third strike call. The Scorpions (10-3) scored three times in the sixth, helped by two Bronc errors.
Nick Loftis reached on an infield error and scored on Joel Fernandez' single to make it 2-1. Matt Ginn walked to set the stage for the wildest play of the night.
Felix Fanaselle hit a soft single behind second base. Fanaselle beat the throw to first base for a single but the throw to first was wild, and both Fernandez and Ginn scored to make it 3-2 Scorpions.
UTPA used three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to regain the 4-3 lead.
"I thought we played hard, but offensively we have a lot of work to do," Scorpions coach Bryan Aughney said. "We had a dropped third strike that cost us a run."
UTB-TSC managed only three hits off two Broncs pitchers. Scorpions starter Julian Moya (1-2) went six innings, and was relieved by Zach Armstrong in the seventh.
"Both of those guys gave us a great opportunity to get a win," Aughney said. "But we need to score more than three runs. That's the bottom line."
UTB-TSC returns to Red River Athletic Conference action Friday and Saturday with a three-game series at Huston-Tillotson in Austin. The Scorpions will return home March 1 for the first meeting between UTB-TSC and Texas A&M-Kingsville at Scorpion Field.
Gidora receives RRAC pitcher of week honor again
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College senior pitcher Danny Gidora has been named Red River Athletic Conference co-pitcher of the week.
The honor is Gidora's second of the season. He received the same award two weeks ago.
Gidora, a senior pitcher from Harlingen, tossed his second complete game shutout of the season. to raise his record to 3-0 on the season. He allowed four hits, struck out three hitters and walked none to stop Texas Wesleyan 2-0.
In three starts this season, Gidora has pitched 19 innings, allowed 15 hits, struck out 17 and walked five. He has allowed only one earned run. Gidora's ERA is now 0.47.
The Scorpions were 10-2 after winning two of three games against Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth on Feb. 18 and 19.
Andrew Brouillette of LSU-Shreveport and Raul Gomez of Huston-Tillotson earned selection as RRAC co-players of the week, while Nick Harrison of Northwood shared the pitcher of the week award with Gidora.
