EDINBURG – Texas-Pan American left fielder Logan Landon had a triple and a two-run home run Friday night and ACU hitters struck out 12 times against Bronc pitchers as UTPA dealt the Wildcats a 3-1 loss in non-conference baseball action at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
The loss dropped the Wildcats to 0-4 on the season, while the Broncs improve to 3-2. ACU hasn't started a season 0-4 since the 1979 campaign. The teams will continue their three-game series Saturday at 6 p.m.
ACU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning when
Russell Crippen drove in
Marcelle Carter with a sacrifice fly for the Wildcats' first lead of the season. But the Broncs got the game tied in the bottom of the third when Landon led off the inning with a triple and scored when Tony Rogue singled him in to knot the game at 1-1.
The pitchers dominated the game through the middle innings as neither team was able to mount much of an offensive threat. The Wildcats couldn't touch UTPA starting pitcher Blake English, who went eight strong innings. English gave up just five hits and two walks while striking out nine Wildcats.
In the bottom of the sixth, ACU relief pitcher
Thomas Altimont easily retired the first two batters he faced before hitting Correy Davis to give the Broncs life. Then Altimont hung a 2-2 breaking ball and Landon turned on it and drove it out over the fence in left field for a two-run home run and a 3-1 UTPA lead.
That was more than enough for the Bronc pitching staff, which allowed just six hits on the night.
Alex Copeland led off the top of the ninth to give the Wildcats a chance, but reliever Andrew Padron struck out
Taylor Fajardo,
Kyle Carroll and
Colton Hall in order to end the game and pick up his first save.
Altimont was tagged with the loss to fall to 0-2, while English got the win to improve to 1-1.
