BRONCS FALL AT MCNEESE STATE

LAKE CHARLES, LA –McNeese State scored six runs in the first three innings and defeated The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team, 8-4, at Cowboy Diamond Saturday.

The Broncs scored single runs in the first and fourth and tallied twice in the eighth, but their late rally fell short. 

Senior lefthander Frank James (Elgin, TX/Elgin HS/Navarro JC) was charged with a costly first-inning error that led to three unearned runs. Center fielder Dooley Prince led off and reached on the three-base error, and subsequently scored on a sacrifice fly. Tommy Eubanks hit a two-run homer with two out to make it 3-0. The Cowboys added to their lead in the next inning on a run-scoring singles by left fielder P.J. Johnston and catcher Ran Prince, then scored again in the third when Derek Hebert’s infield grounder scored Eubanks.

Junior shortstop Jerome McCoy (Fort Worth, TX/Eastern Hills HS/Northeast Texas CC) gave UTPA a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when he led off with a walk, advanced to second on an error by Hebert, stole third and scored on an infield grounder by freshman right fielder Tony Ortiz (Fort Worth, TX/Nolan HS). The Broncs struck again in the fourth when sophomore third baseman Matt Sisk (Fort Worth, TX/New Mexico/Arlington Heights HS) walked, moved to second on an error by second baseman Dustin Smith, and scored on a two-out single by freshman catcher Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS).

The Broncs scored their final two runs in the eighth. Freshman shortstop Omar Pena (Mission, TX/Mission HS) and freshman left fielder John Lopez (Mission, TX/Mission HS) both walked. Senior third baseman Adam Farek (Crockett, TX/Crockett HS/Cedar Valley CC) reached on Smith’s second error of the game. Pena scored as Ortiz hit into a double play. Junior designated hitter Skip Weast then doubled Lopez home.  

"We just got behind again, and we couldn't catch up," said UTPA Head Coach Reggie Tredaway. "(Freshman) Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS) caught, and did a real good job for us."

James was charged with seven runs, four of which were earned, in five innings. He was tagged with the loss, dropping his record to 1-2. Senior righthander Ed Marko (Chardon, OH/Chardon HS/Cleveland State University) finished, allowing one run in three innings.

Rusty Begnaud allowed four runs and six hits in eight innings, earning the victory and improving his record to 1-0.

The Broncs fell to 1-6 with the defeat, while the Cowboys improved to 4-3 with the victory. UTPA and McNeese State will conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

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