UTB-TSC splits doubleheader

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College brought out the bats Saturday, taking a 12-9 victory in the second game of the doubleheader after losing the first game 14-7 to the University of Houston-Victoria on Saturday at Scorpion Field.

The Scorpions (3-8) took two of three games from the Jaguars (5-6) after Friday's 6-1 win.

"We could have won all three games, but in that middle game we didn't play well so I can't be satisfied with two out of three," Scorpions coach Bryan Aughney said. "We did a good job hitting, but I'm not satisfied by any means, especially after that first game when we did not hit early. We got down and hung our heads a little bit in the first game. We got to stick to the whole at-bat and be ready to hit pitch No. 1."

Scorpions freshman outfielder Peter Maldonado went 5-for-8 and drove in three runs in the doubleheader.

"Peter is a hitting machine, we knew that when we recruited him," Aughney said. "Yesterday Ryan (Macdonald) had a big day, today it was Peter's turn. He's coming on strong for us."

After starting the first 11 games of the season at home, the Scorpions finally hit the road for a four-game series against Northwood on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21.

UH-Victoria 14, Scorpions 7 (first game)

The visitors jumped on Scorpions starter Danny Gidora early, scoring runs during each of the first five innings. UHV led the Scorpions 10-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning and were one out away from ending the game via the 10-run rule.

With two outs, Peter Maldonado tripled home two runs and scored on Matt Warner's single, making it 10-3.

In the sixth, the Scorpions scored three more runs to make the score 10-6 and had the bases loaded with two outs to make things interesting. However, Jaguars pitcher Casey Newman induced Scorpions designated hitter Brian Bustos into a flyout to end the threat.

Four Scorpions - Jorge Camorlinga, Maldonado, Matt Warner and Gilberto Puente - had two hits apiece.

Game 2: UH-Victoria 12, Scorpions 9

The Scorpions jumped out to a 10-2 lead after three innings and held on for the three-run win.

The Scorpions had 13 hits, with the top of the batting order doing most of the damage. The first four batters in the order - Camorlinga, Maldonado, Puente and Jacob Yousif - went a combined 10-for-13.

Maldonado and Yousif had three hits apiece, with Camorlinga and Puente getting two each. Puente and Yousif each drove in two runs.

Tony Lerma started on the mound for the Scorpions, allowing four runs in three innings. Zach Moya (1-2) got credit for the win, allowing three runs in three innings.