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For Immediate
Release: Saturday, March 08, 2003 BRONCS FALL IN REMATCH WITH 22ND RANKED AGGIES COLLEGE STATION, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team overcame a pair of two-run deficits, but dropped a 7-5 decision to 22nd ranked Texas A&M at Olsen Field Saturday evening. With the loss, Texas-Pan American fell to 9-10, while the Aggies improved to 14-4. Junior third baseman Matt Sisk (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights HS/New Mexico) launched a two-out, two-run blast to left field in the top of the eighth inning to erase a 5-3 deficit, and tie the score at 5-all. Freshman second baseman T.J. Gilmer (Forney, TX/Forney HS) drew a leadoff walk earlier in the inning. The Aggies responded with a two-run rally of their own in the bottom of the eighth. TAMU second baseman Erik Schindewolf drove a leadoff double to left centerfield. One out later, third baseman Cliff Pennington drew a walk, and UTPA junior relief pitcher Johnny Gibson (Sachse, TX/Naaman Forest HS/Collin County CC) hit pinch hitter Kevin Whelan with a pitch to load the bases. Right fielder Cory Patton singled to right field, allowing Schindewolf to score the game-winning run. Centerfielder Justin Ruggiano followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Pennington, and provide the final margin. Facing a 3-1 deficit in the top of the sixth inning, the Broncs struck for a pair of runs to tie the game at three-all. Gilmer was hit by a pitch with one out, and stole second base to start the rally. One out later, freshman catcher Jarod Hickle (LaGrange, TX/LaGrange HS) singled to left field, allowing Gilmer to score, and pull UTPA to within 3-2. After Robert Ramsey relieved Aggie starting pitcher Zach Dixon, Sisk reached on an error by Schindewolf, and senior Bruce Kennedy (Mansfield, TX/Mansfield HS/Northeast Texas CC) drew a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Hickle to score the game-tying run. Texas A&M answered in the bottom of the seventh, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and a hit batsman to score two runs and take a 5-3 lead. Sisk recorded the Broncs' first hit of the game in the fourth inning, and made it count, driving a one out-RBI single to left field to score sophomore first baseman Tony Ortiz (Fort Worth, TX/Nolan HS). Ortiz had led off the inning by reaching second base on a throwing error by Pennington, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hickle. Texas A&M answered with two runs in the fifth. Patton hit a one out-single up the middle, and moved to second on a walk to Ruggiano. Left fielder Scott Beerer singled to right field, scoring Patton, and first baseman Eric Scheidt reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Ruggiano to score, putting Texas A&M ahead, 3-1. "We played as well as we are capable of playing," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "(Sophomore center fielder) Jonathan Mason (San Antonio, TX/Jay HS) threw two guys out at the plate, and we played good defense. Tommy threw well, and they hit him, but we made some plays to get us out of innings." The Broncs had their lead-off batter reach safely in six of the nine innings. Junior starting pitcher Tommy Sorden (Austin, TX/Bowie HS/Navarro College) scattered 10 hits in six innings, allowing five runs, and struck out three. Gibson allowed two runs on three hits in the final two innings, and dropped to 2-2 with the loss. Sisk went two-for-three with three runs batted in, one run scored, and a home run. Zach Dixon, Robert Ramsey, and Beerer combined to limit UTPA to five runs on four hits over nine innings. Beerer picked up the win, allowing no hits over the final one and one-third innings to improve to 2-0. Patton went four-for-four and scored twice. Texas-Pan American will conclude the series against Texas A&M Sunday afternoon at Olsen Field. Game time is 1:00 p.m. BA-37-03030803
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