May 22, 2008

Box Score

EDINBURG, TX - Broncs junior Jordan Rutenbar drove in the game winning runs in the top of the fourth with a two-out single topping the Highlanders, 5-3, in day two of the 2008 National Independent Tournament at Edinburg Baseball Field.

The 5'10 catcher finished a perfect 3-for-3 on the night with two runs batted in and one run scored. UTPA leadoff hitter, Roly Gonzalez went 2-for-4 while Jose Mendoza and Ruben Shives each drove in a run.

Broncs starting RHP Philip Rodriguez was credited with the win pitching 6.2 innings, letting up six hits, three runs (three earned), and striking out a game-high six batters. Reliever Adrian Garza blanked the Highlanders in the final 2.1 innings striking out three.

Freshman RF Dom Hayes led the way for the Highlanders hitting 3-for-5 (two singles, one triple) with one run batted in. CF Ricky Petrosino followed behind with a 2-for-4 night with two runs scored. DH Matt Schlitter and LF Rob Pietrocola drove in the other two Highlander runs on the night.

NJIT's PJ Saporito took the loss pitching all but one inning finishing with a line of: 8.0 innings, eight hits, five runs, two walks and one strikeout. Freshman RHP Anthony Corsi came into relieve Saporito, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

With the Broncs down 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning, Rutenbar stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third and knocked a single up the middle taking a 4-3 lead. UTPA added another run in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Johnson securing the win, 5-3.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when the Highlanders tacked on two runs to the scoreboard. Petrosino led off the inning with a single up the middle. Hayes drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to right center field. NJIT added an insurance run on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded.

UTPA answered in the top of the fourth inning with back-to-back singles by David DeLeon and Rutenbar. Sophomore Ryan Vest moved both runners over laying down a bunt down the first baseline. Mendoza hit an RBI single down the left field line driving in the first UTPA run of the game. Senior DH Shives grounded out to short advancing Rutenbar home to knot the game, 2-2.

The Highlanders broke the 2-2 tie in the bottom half of the fourth on a sacrifice fly hit out to center field by Schlitter scoring Petrosino who led off the inning with an infield single.

NJIT returns to action Friday at 3:00pm (CT) taking on Northern Colorado.

Both teams met last year in the 2007 National Independent Tournament in Orem, Utah, with the Highlanders coming out on top 13-12 in a game that featured 11 homeruns.