For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 13, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS FALL TO SAM HOUSTON STATE, ALAMIA CONTINUES HITTING STREAK

COLLEGE STATION, TX- Freshman left fielder Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/ Edinburg North HS) recorded a hit for his 14th consecutive game, but The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team dropped a 14-5 decision to Sam Houston State at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, Texas-Pan American fell to 10-12, while the Bearkats improved to 8-10.

Trailing 13-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Broncs rallied for three runs to pull within 13-5, but could come no closer. Sophomore first baseman Tony Ortiz (Fort Worth, TX/Nolan HS), sophomore catcher Matt Eichel (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine HS), and Alamia led off with singles to load the bases. Sophomore center fielder John Lopez (Mission, TX/Mission HS) followed with a two-RBI single to center field, scoring Ortiz and Eichel. One out later, sophomore shortstop Marco Garza (Mission, TX/Sharyland HS) reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Alamia to score from third base.
"I'm disappointed we didn't get good pitching," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "We gave up 14 runs and 21 hits plus four walks, that's about like playing with the bases loaded for nine innings. Its tough to win games like that."

SHSU pounded out five runs on five hits in the top of the first inning. Centerfielder Brandon Foster was hit by UTPA freshman starting pitcher Jason Duhon (Maurice, LA/Abbeville HS/Grayson County College) to lead off the game, and moved to third on left fielder Phillip Weaver's single to centerfield. Second baseman Lou Ferrell followed with an RBI double to right field, scoring Foster. One out later, first baseman Jonathan Hamilton drove a two-run single to centerfield, and took second on the throw home. Designated hitter Dom Garcia capped the Bearkat's rally with a two-run double to left field.
UT Pan American managed to pull to within 5-1 in the bottom of the second. Garza led off with an infield single, and moved to second on a ground out by freshman second baseman T.J. Gilmer (Forney, TX/Forney HS). One out later, Ortiz singled to right field, and moved to third on the Bearkats' attempt to throw Garza out at the plate.

SHSU added a run in the second, three in the third, two in the fourth, and two in the sixth inning.
"We gave up five runs in the first inning," said Gawlik. "We were down, 9-0, in the third inning, and it seemed like we were in the hole for the whole game.

Sam Houston State's 21 hits were the most allowed by the Broncs this season, while UTPA managed nine hits, which ties for the second most hits by UTPA this season in a loss.
Freshman relief pitcher Robert Martinez (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg HS) allowed one run on three hits over the final three and two-thirds innings, striking out four. Ortiz and Garza had two hits apiece for the Broncs, while senior right fielder Jerome McCoy (Fort Worth, TX/Eastern Hills HS/Northeast Texas CC) added a stolen base.

Bearkat starter Nathan Brewer allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, striking out three, and earned the win to improve to 1-0. Duhon took the loss for the Broncs, and fell to 0-3. For the Bearkats, Garcia went four for six with two doubles and two runs batted in. Left fielder Phillip Weaver, right fielder Jeremy Locke, and third baseman Jonathan Stone each had three hit, and Stone also had three RBI.

Texas-Pan American will return to action on Friday evening, when they host Prairie View A&M on the opening night of the first annual UTPA/Al Ogletree Classic. The Broncs and Panthers will meet after Iona and Illinois open tournament play at 3:00 p.m.

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