For Immediate Release: Saturday, November 1, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240
GREEN TEAM TAKES INTRA-SQUAD BATTLE

EDINBURG, TX-A clutch hit at the end of the game was all that separated the two teams in the intra-squad game that concluded The University of Texas-Pan American's fall baseball practice schedule Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore right fielder Otis Powers (Brownsville, TX/Rivera HS) doubled to the gap in left center field to score junior Ricky Broyles (Longview, TX/Spring Hill HS/Northeast Texas CC) with the winning run from second base in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Green team a 2-1 victory over the White team at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

Broyles led off the ninth inning with a single against senior righthander Johnny Gibson (Sachse, TX/Naaman Forest HS/Collin County CC) and moved to second on an infield out by freshman first baseman Zach Smith (Sanger, TX/Sanger HS) before coming home on Powers' hit.

The Green team had tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Brian Ballew (Channelview, TX/Channelview HS) led off and was hit by a pitch, and sophomore catcher Jarod Hickle (LaGrange, TX/LaGrange HS) doubled, putting runners on second and third. One out later, Ballew scored when Broyles bounced out to shortstop.

The White team took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Junior designated hitter Juan Saenz (Mission, TX/Mission HS) slammed a solo homer into the left field bullpen. It was the second and final hit of the game for the White team. Eight Green pitchers combined for a two-hitter, with Broyles, who struck out the side in the ninth inning, getting credit for the victory. Gibson took the loss.

"We played well, and it was a great way to end the fall," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "It was a well-played game, it ended up 2-1, and that's all you can ask for. We did a good job with the fundamentals, we got some bunts down and executed the hit and run, and we made some great plays in the field. I was very pleased."

The Broncs will begin their spring season when they host Texas State-San Marcos Saturday, January 31st.

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