Kevynne Aleman
03/30/2023
This past Wednesday night brought rain and a loss for the UTRGV Vaquero baseball team at the UTRGV baseball stadium. The Vaqueros dropped to the Texas State Bobcats with a close score of 6-5.
The Bobcats had a long run early in the game at the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, junior infielder Davis Powell hit a grandslam deep left field putting the Bobcats up 6-0.
The Vaqueros switched pitchers at the top of the fourth inning. Graduate student pitcher Kris Massey kept the Bobcats from scoring. Having four strikeouts, and playing three innings. Massey discusses his role to not let the Bobcats score.
“Everyday we just compete, go out there compete. I think the second inning I had two back to back walks, at that point it was compete. We are already down. We tried to compete and we did that out of the bullpen,” said Massey.
Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Vaqueros had to make up some ground and did exactly that. Graduate student first baseman, Brandon Pimentel, stole home plate by a throwing error from the Texas State’s catcher. Cutting the Bobcats lead down to 6-3. Pimentel talks about his thoughts on making that crucial play for the vaqueros.
“Split second decision, but it’s the game. You just have a feel for it,” said Pimentel
The bottom of the eighth inning allowed the Vaqueros two more runs by junior infielder, Damian Rodriguez, and junior infielder Kade York. ending the inning with a score 6-5.
Pimentel did lead off the ninth inning with a double, but it wasn’t enough to capitalize for the win. Although the Vaqueros lost, Head Coach Derek Matlock is looking forward to conference play this weekend. Matlock talks over the positive side of the loss.
“Today there was probably a little too many walks back there, but their stuff was electric and there was a lot of strikeouts. Which is what you want on your back end,” said Matlock
The Vaqueros will be back on the field taking on Tarleton State University on March 31 – April 2 at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
For more information please visit goutrgv.com.
This Is Kevynne Aleman for Vaquero Radio.
