Scorpion Drop Doubleheader to Independent University of Houston-Victoria
Posted April 2, 2008
VICTORIA -- A squandered suicide squeeze resulted in a double play in the final at bat for the UTB/TSC Scorpions in a 4-3 loss to the University of Houston-Victoria in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 2, at Riverside Stadium.

UH-V knocked off the Scorpions in the first game of the doubleheader, 11-1.

The losses dropped UTB/TSC to 15-27 on the season while the Jaguars, playing baseball for the first time this season, improved to 24-2. UH-V, an independent NAIA team, is coached by former Houston Astros' infielder Terry Puhl.

"They had no idea the squeeze play was coming, but it didn't work," Scorpion coach Joel Barta said, referring to the Scorpions' attempt to tie the second game in the final inning.

The Scorpions, 2-4 in Red River Athletic Conference play, resume RRAC South Zone action in Brownsville April 4-5 with a three-game conference series against Jarvis Christian College. In the last weekend home series for the Scorpions this season, the teams meet in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Friday, April 4 and in a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5.

Barta did not use starting pitchers Julian Moya and Tony Lerma because they will be starting the important conference series against Jarvis Christian. "We tried to get as many guys some work today," Barta said. "Ultimately, we want to win these games. But the conference games this weekend are more important than the ones today."

Jaguars 11, Scorpions 1 (first game)

The Scorpions managed only three hits off Jaguars' starting pitcher Ray Maldonado, who struck out eight Scorpions without walking a batter.

UTB/TSC took a 1-0 lead in the second on an unearned run started by Chris Walker who reached on an error. Pinch runner Luis DeJesus moved to third on Scott Price's single, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jorge Camorlinga.

The Jaguars scored 11 runs between the second and fifth innings. UH-V collected 10 hits off Scorpion pitchers Zach Moya, Jesus Mendoza, Kellen Burman and Jesse Galvan.

Jaguars 4, Scorpions 3 (second game)

UH-V broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Robby Mang singled and eventually scored when Jacob Yousif reached an error to make it a 4-3 game. Andres Monterrubio then reached an error with Yousif advancing to third. With no outs, Barta called for the suicide squeeze play, but David Pittman popped out to the pitcher, and Yousif was easily doubled up at third base.

The Scorpions scored in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Price after a single by Ignacio Celedon, and added a run in the fifth inning on a Mang double and Andres Monterrubio single.

Mang, Monterrubio and Price had two hits each for the Scorpions. Chris Walker, who pitched the sixth inning for the Scorpions, was the losing pitcher in relief of Jon Ali and Evan Hardman.