For Immediate Release: Sunday, February 1, 2004
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS FALL TO TEXAS STATE, 6-2

EDINBURG, TX-For the second day in a row, The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team dug themselves a hole against Texas State-San Marcos.

This time, the Broncs were unable to mount a comeback as they fell to the Bobcats, 6-2, in the second and final game of the series at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Texas-Pan American spotted Texas State an early 3-0 lead before they broke the ice against Bobcat starter and winning pitcher Tom Robbins. With his team trailing, 3-0, and two out in the bottom of the fifth, sophomore left fielder Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) tripled down the right field line. Sophomore second baseman T.J. Gilmer (Forney, TX/Forney HS) then beat out an infield hit to shortstop to score Alamia.

TSU increased their lead in the seventh. Catcher Doug Pearce and shortstop Dominic Ramos drew walks, and both scored on center fielder Evan Tierce's triple to right field. Pearce doubled home third baseman Kyle Anson an inning later to make it 6-1.

The Broncs scored their final run in the eighth. Senior right fielder Matt Sisk (Fort Worth, TX/Arlington Heights HS/New Mexico) singled to left and advanced to second on a two-out infield hit by junior shortstop Aaron Flowers (Rowlett, TX/Rowlett HS/Northeast Texas CC). Junior third baseman Ricky Broyles (Longview, TX/Spring Hill HS/Northeast Texas CC) doubled Sisk home, but reliever Gabe Wisneski got Alamia to ground out to end the threat.

The Bobcats took an early lead with a run in the second inning and two more in the third. Right fielder Richard Martinez led off the second inning with a triple and scored on an infield out. Ramos and Tierce hit back-to-back doubles for another run in the third, and left fielder Matt Miller singled Tierce home to make it 3-0.

"We've got a lot of young players, and a lot of new players, and we're not consistent yet," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "We didn't pitch well enough to win today. They've got a good team, and when you get behind against a team, you can't use your speed. You can't bunt, steal, or play hit and run."

Robbins allowed one run and four hits in five innings to earn the victory and improve to 1-0, while Bronc sophomore righthander Aaron Guerra (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg HS), who allowed three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings, took the loss and fell to 0-1.

Texas-Pan American fell to 0-2 with the defeat, while TSU improved to 2-0. The Broncs will return to action when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

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