For Immediate Release: Monday, July 14, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS ADD CESAR PENA

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team has signed its seventh recruit this spring, and its 12th recruit overall.

Lefthanded pitcher, first baseman and outfielder Cesar Pena of Harlingen, Texas and Harlingen South High School will join the Broncs this fall. He will enter UTPA as a freshman, with four years of eligibility remaining.

Pena earned All-District honors in both his junior and senior seasons, and was also named All-Rio Grande Valley and All-Area. He hit .380 as a senior, with seven doubles and 22 runs batted in. He also went 12-5 as a pitcher with a 1.49 earned run average, allowing just 53 hits in 104 innings, and striking out 189 hitters. He hit .421 during his high school career, and he won 17 games as a pitcher with a 1.81 ERA.

"I'm glad we signed Cesar," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "He has the potential to be a real good player. He has a very quick bat, and he can also pitch. He can get outs, and he is a tough pitcher. Cesar is a hard worker, and he's got a chance to be a real good, solid all-around player who can help us both on the mound and in the field. He will have the opportunity to contribute right away as a pitcher or as a position player."

Pena joins Chad Linder of Rusk, Texas and Rusk High School, Sam English of Magnolia, Texas and the University of Central Arkansas, Austin Hoffman of Kempner High School and Sugar Land, Texas, Alfred Padron of Alvin Community College and Pasadena, Texas, Nick Gregory of Angelina Junior College and Mesquite, Texas, Philip Rodriguez of Edinburg North High School and Edinburg, Texas, Zach Smith of Sanger High School in Sanger, Texas, Ricky Glazier of Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas, Ryan Grimet of Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, Brian Ballew of Channelview High School in Channelview, Texas, and Ryne Foster of Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas in joining Texas-Pan American for next fall.

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