For Immediate Release: March 8, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS DROP OPENER AT ROUND ROCK

ROUND ROCK, TX –A strong outing by senior pitcher Jacob Casanova and timely hitting propelled Southwest Texas State's baseball team to a 7-1 victory over Texas-Pan American in the opening game of the Express College Classic in Round Rock Friday.

The Bobcats scored four runs in the third inning and three more in the fifth. Leading the Bobcats were seniors Mark Younk, who went two-for-three with two walks, and Chris Micheles, one-for-three with a walk and two runs batted in. Junior Jacob Spencer was two-for-five with two RBIs.

"It helps a lot when you get some runs early," Casanova said. "You can just go out, concentrate on throwing strikes and let them put the ball in play."

Casanova (1-0) scattered nine hits over eight innings to earn the win. It was his second outing of the season. Freshman Chris Jeans pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief.

"I was really rusty in my first start," said Casanova. "I felt a lot better today but I'm still not quite where I need to be."

UTPA senior righthander Justin Dowd (Waxahachie, TX/Waxahachie HS/Navarro JC) allowed seven runs on 11 hits in eight innings and took the loss, falling to 0-3. “Justin pitched the best he’s pitched all year,” said UTPA Assistant Coach Johnny Johnson. “They didn’t hit a lot of balls hard, they hit a lot of balls that fell in and landed in the right places. Hopefully, Justin will turn the corner with this performance.”

Junior outfielder Bruce Kennedy (Mansfield, TX/Mansfield HS/Northeast Texas CC) drove in UTPA’s only run in the bottom of the third inning, while junior right fielder Skip Weast (Inola, OK/Inola HS/Crowder JC) added three hits.

SWTSU improved to 12-5 with the victory, while the Broncs fell to 2-15 with the defeat. UTPA will play Texas Christian Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the second game of the tournament.

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