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For Immediate Release: March 10, 2002 BRONCS DEFEAT 24TH-RANKED NOTRE DAME AT ROUND ROCK
ROUND
ROCK, TX –Fellow seniors Frank James (Sr. Elgin, TX/Elgin HS/Navarro
JC) and Jacob Pierce (Longview, TX/Longview HS/Navarro JC) combined to
limit 24th-ranked Notre Dame to 10 hits and The University of
Texas-Pan American’s baseball team survived a three-run, ninth-inning
rally as the Broncs defeated the Fighting Irish, 6-5, at the Round Rock
Express College Classic Sunday. James,
a lefthander, allowed five runs and ten hits in 8 2/3 inning, walking
two and strikingout four,
and allowing only one earned run. The Broncs had a 6-2 lead going to the
bottom of the ninth inning, and Pierce relieved James with two out and
three runs in. Pierce induced Irish designated hitter Matt Macri to hit
a foul pop to freshman first baseman Chris Jones (Colleyville, TX/
Colleyville Heritage HS), who reached over the railing to make the catch
for the final out of the game. Jones
also had two hits and drove in a critical run for UTPA in the top of the
sixth. Sophomore third baseman Matt Sisk (Fort Worth, TX/Arlington
Heights HS/New Mexico) and freshman right fielder Tony Ortiz (Fort
Worth, TX/Nolan HS) each singled, and each moved up on a sacrifice by
junior designated hitter Skip Weast (Inola, OK/Inola HS/Crowder JC).
Freshman catcher Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS) followed with
a sacrifice fly to right field, and Jones then drove in a run with a
single. Eichel had two hits and drove in two runs. Junior left fielder Bruce Kennedy (Mansfield, TX/Mansfield HS/Northeast Texas CC had three hits, including a double, scored twice and drove in a run, and freshman center fielder John Lopez (Mission, TX/Mission HS) doubled and scored a run. James
earned the win, improving to 3-3, while Notre Dame starter Peter Ogilvie
took the loss, falling to 1-1. Pierce earned his second save. “Frank
really pitched really well, and the kids played really well,” said
UTPA Head Coach Reggie Tredaway. “Chris made a spectacular catch,
Matt Eichel threw two guys out stealing, and John Lopez made a
spectacular catch in right center field. Things are looking up.” The
Broncs improved to 5-15 with the win, while Notre Dame fell to 5-5. UTPA
will return to action when they host the Reynosa Broncos of the Mexican
League in an exhibition game Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. |