EDINBURG, Texas — Seattle U baseball was overwhelmed on Friday dropping its series opener to UTRGV by the score of 11-4. The Redhawk bats were inconsistent they went a combined 8-for-33 and stranded 10 runners on base, while the Vaqueros were 12-for-34 at the plate and left eight runners behind.
"We were just plain not very good today," said Seattle U head coach Donny Harrel. "Our pitching struggled, we were caught out of position on defense a few plays that lead to runs, and we couldn't get on their starter to create more runs early. This is simply one of those games you learn from and move on, as we're right back here tomorrow."
Scoreless after two, Seattle U (13-18, 7-10 WAC) tallied the afternoon's opening run in the third. UTRGV however responded by scoring seven unanswered, as he recorded three in the third, two in the fifth and one in the fourth and sixth. The Redhawks twice in seventh and once for in the eighth, but it was not enough as the Vaqueros had plated four in the seventh.
Connor O'Brien accounted for the opening run as he crossed home for the 23rd time this season. He was knocked in by Julian Kodama, who picked up his 11th RBI of the year. O'Brien finished the day 1-for-4, while Kodama went 2-for-4 after singling in the first.
Down 7-1 in the seventh, the Redhawks threatened early as they loaded the bases with back-to-back walks and hit by pitch to lead off the frame.
Trevor Antonson then raced in from third following a wild pitch. With one-out, senior Justin Mazzone then recorded his team leading 23rd RBI of the season as he drove in Gavin Rork, trimming the deficit to 7-3. It was Rork's 16th run of the year. The Redhawk momentum then faded with the end of the play as O'Brien was thrown out home, before disappearing as SU hit into an inning-ending ground out, leaving Mazzone in scoring position.
Chase Wells then capped the scoring in the eighth as he was pushed across with a pinch-hit sac fly by Jason Luke, who registered his first career RBI. Wells was 0-for-2 at the plate and drew two walks.
On the mound, Redhawk starter Nestor German (4-4) suffered the loss, after surrendering seven runs on eight hits in six innings. Relievers Desmond Parisotto (1.0 IP) and Ethan Brown (1.0 IP) then followed. Parisotto conceded four runs on four hits, while Brown struck out two and retired the side in the eighth.
Seattle U will resume its series against the Vaqueros on Saturday with a scheduled doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 11 am PT.