April 29, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs suffered a 10-9 heartbreaker on the road against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday (Apr. 29) in Nacogdoches, TX.

With the setback, the Broncs fell to 17-29 overall while the Lumberjacks improved to 18-27 on the season.

Senior Roly Gonzalez led the Broncs offensively finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI's and one run scored while Billy Donaho went 2-for-4 with two RBI's and two runs scored.

The Lumberjacks got on board in the bottom of the first frame when Ke Crabtree homered to center field scoring Noe Trevino who reached on a walk, making the score 2-0.

The Broncs came right back plating two runs in the top of the third on three hits, tying the score at 2-2. With one out in the frame, a single by Jose Mendoza sparked the Broncs as Ryan Vest and Ruben Shives Jr. recorded back-to-back singles. Mendoza was tagged out on a fielder's choice by Andrew Perez and with the bases loaded, back-to-back walks to Joe B. Gutierrez and Roly Gonzalez would score Vest and Shives Jr.

Stephen F. Austin collected a run in the third frame when Crabtree singled to third base and came around to score following a single up the middle by Sean Myers, to make the score 3-2.

UTPA tied the game in the fourth inning following a single down the left field line which scored Shives who reached on a walk.

The Lumberjacks followed the Broncs solo run with a run of their own, to take a 4-3 advantage. Jeff Kello led off with a single through the left side and advanced to third with a Jeff Brewer double to left field. Kello scored following a sacrifice fly by Kai Kirby.

Donaho tied the game up for the third time after he recorded his sixth homerun of the season, to make the score 4-4.

Both teams held each other scoreless in the sixth frame but the Broncs' bats came up big in the seventh, collecting four runs on three hits. Gonzalez, Bonham Hough and Vest combined for three of UTPA's hits and two Broncs reached on walks, making the score 8-4.

A three-run homerun to left field in the seventh by Kello lifted the Lumberjacks and cut the deficit 8-7.

The Broncs would collect a final run in the eighth frame following a single by Donaho, scoring Perez who reached on a walk. The Lumberjacks continued to add runs in the final two innings of game, recording the two-game sweep over the Broncs.

Cody Cisper took the loss for the Broncs, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing 11 hits, seven runs - all earned while striking out four SFA batters.

The Broncs will head to Greeley, CO for a three-game series against Northern Colorado on Friday (May 2) with the first game slated for 2 p.m.

UTPA Sports Information