UTRGV Men’s Baseball defeated the Wildcats of Kansas State 5-0 in the 2020 season opener. Kevin Stevens was the starting pitcher for UTRGV and despite not playing the last 2 seasons due to a Tommy John injury Stevens went 5 innings and struck out 9 batters on 85 pitches. After the game Stevens talks about his dominate outing.
Felt really good, everything was working for me today. I really just went out there and tried to trust my teammates as much as I could. Trying to put the ball wherever I wanted it, I felt like I was placing all my pitches, felt good coming off.
Postgame UTRGV Head Coach Derek Matlock praises Kevin Stephens on his performance on the mound and the long road Stevens has had to get to this position.
Wow First collegiate start and the guys been out 2 years with Tommy John, and he’s never been a starting pitcher, and we give him the ball Friday night to open up our season because he works his butt off every day. He’s got some grit, fight and he goes out there and gives us exactly what we ask for. I am so proud of him and that’s pretty amazing to do in your first college start.
UTRGV threw a one-hitter, a feat that UTRGV hadn’t accomplished since 2017 against Texas Southern in a 9 to 0 victory. Postgame Head Coach Derek Matlock talks about the pitching performance from starter Kevin Stevens and reliever John Henry Gonzalez.
When you got guys on the mound, and we had a hit bat and a walk. Our pitcher pounding the strike zone with pretty good stuff and it’s a good way to start it on the mound.
UTRGV Baseball will be in action tonight, Monday February 17th at 7 p.m. at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium, for the fourth and final game against Kansas State with UTRGV looking to win the series 3-1. For more updates and highlights visit GOUTRGV.com
Reporter Luis Rubio
