COURTESY PHOTO BY: Jonah Goldberg
On Tuesday, April 11th, the UTRGV Vaqueros baseball showed up at the South Texas Showdown beating the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders on Islanders territory with a finishing score of 11-2.
The Vaqueros started bringing runs in at the top of the third inning starting with senior outfielder Zerek Saenz hitting center field bringing in sophomore catcher Steven Lancia putting the vaqueros up 1-0.
Graduate student first baseman Brandon Pimentel went 3-for-5 in the games bringing two RBIs in the top of the fourth inning and the top of the ninth inning. Pimentel talks about how he was able to get the right hits at the right time.
“Just trying to stay in my plan and get the pitch I’m looking for and just trying to do damage with it,” Pimentel said.
For the first four innings, the scoreless Islanders can thank the defense of the Vaqueros and sophomore pitcher Randy Garza. Garza pitched five innings, and had seven strikeouts during those plays. He addresses the confidence he gained from yesterday’s game.
“It’s a big confidence booster, you know, just trying to get on a roll. The season’s been kind of up and down so it’s a big confidence booster and like I said just trying to get things rolling,” said Garza.
As the season progresses, the Vaqueros are still working to come out on top each game. Coach Matlock explained how the team is looking more prepared during the games.
“I think the kids are getting a little groove, a little kind of feel for who’s playing where, who’s hitting where it’s kind of settled in. People aren’t playing to play, they already kind of know they got their spot. They’re playing a little more relaxed,” said Matlock.
The Vaqueros will take on the Abilene Christian University Wildcats April 21st through April 23rd at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
For more information please visit https goutrgv.com.
This is Kevynne Aleman for Vaquero Radio.
