UTRGV tops Louisiana to close 10-game road swing

LAFAYETTE, La. – The UTRGV Vaqueros baseball team, which is receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association polls for the fifth week in a row, closed out a 10-game road trip with a 9-7 victory over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Tuesday at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park. 

The Vaqueros (22-10) finish the road trip 6-4.

Senior Steven Lancia led the Vaqueros by going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored while throwing out three would-be base stealers. Graduate student Issac Lopez went 3-for-6 with a home run and two runs scored. Graduate student PSJA alum Jacob Sanchez finished 2-for-5 with a walk.

Lopez homered on the first pitch of the game. Sophomore Armani Raygoza followed with a 4-pitch walk and Sanchez singled. One out later, Lancia hit an RBI-single and junior Thomas Williams hit an RBI-groundout to put the Vaqueros up 3-0.

The Vaqueros scored another run in the second on a bases-loaded walk by sophomore Easton Moomau to make the score 4-0.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (16-19) got one back in the bottom of the inning on a 2-out RBI-single by Owen Galtto make the score 4-1. 

Williams homered leading off the third to put the Vaqueros up 5-1.

In the bottom of the inning, though, the Cajuns loaded the bases with one out. The next four hitters drove-in runs, as Lee Amendee hit an RBI-single, Carson Hepworth walked to force-in a run, Maddox Mandino hit an RBI-single, and Galt hit into an RBI-fielder’s choice. Then, after Griffin Hebert was plunked, Jose Torres drew a run-scoring walk to put the Cajuns up 6-5.

The Vaqueros tied the game in the fifth when junior Rene Galván hit an infield single, moving Lancia from second to third. Pitcher Dylan Theut threw wildly toward the plate after the hit, allowing Lancia to score.

The Cajuns regained the lead in the sixth when Conor Higgs hit an RBI-double against senior Anthony Tejada (2-0) to make the score 7-6.

In the seventh, the Vaqueros loaded the bases with nobody out against Wilton Taylor (0-1). Lopez hit a grounder to short. The Cajuns recorded the out at second, but the relay throw to first got away as two runs scored. The next two batters reached to reload the bases. One out later, Lancia hit an infield-single to bring home Lopez, putting the Vaqueros up 9-7.

Junior Steven Oliva pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Junior Nick Nolan made his first-career start, striking out four in 2.0 innings while allowing an unearned run on two hits.

UTRGV hosts Stephen F. Austin for a three-game Southland Conference series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. at UTRGV Baseball Stadium. UTRGV is welcoming back baseball alumni from UTRGV and its legacy institutions. Any alumni who want to be sure they’re included can send an email to [email protected].UTRGV will also be honoring the seniors from the men’s and women’s golf teams.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com. Current UTRGV students receive free general admission with their student ID. All fans need to follow the clear bag policy, details of which can be found at GoUTRGV.com/ClearBag. Fans can find a full list of game day information at RallyTheValley.com. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Fans can watch domestically on ESPN+ or internationally via Southland International.

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