EDINBURG — UTRGV baseball is one win away from securing its first sweep of Western Athletic Conference action after picking up a 6-2 victory over Tarleton on Saturday in Game 2 of its three-game series at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
The Vaqueros (14-12, 5-6 WAC) put together a five-run third inning to jump on the Texans, forcing Tarleton to play from behind for the final six innings.
Edinburg Vela alumnus RJ Ochoa scored on a wild pitch to start the scoring in the third. Fellow Edinburg Vela alumnus Isaac Lopez laid down a safety squeeze to score junior shortstop Kade York for a 2-0 lead. First baseman Brandon Pimentel followed with an RBI-double and third baseman Roberto Gonzalez put an exclamation point on the inning with a two-run home run to left center field. The homer was Gonzalez’s third of the year.
UTRGV threw two arms against the Texans as starter Angelo Cabral (5-0) struck out six in six innings while allowing two runs on five hits and one walk. Tarleton scored both of its runs during the fifth.
Jesus Aldaz closed the show with three innings of hitless relief with six strikeouts to earn his first save of the year.
Pimentel finished 2-for-4 with one home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.
UTRGV will attempt to sweep Tarleton at noon Sunday at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg.
“We’ve won four out of five in conference. We’ve had a good couple games and have to keep moving in that direction if we’re going to climb in this tough conference or we’re going to be in trouble fighting it all the way til the end,” UTRGV baseball head coach Derek Matlocok said. “I’m proud of the team. I’m proud of the way we’re playing.”
Tickets can be purchased at UTRGVTickets.com. Fans unable to attend in person can watch domestically on ESPN+ on internationally via WAC International.