Scorpions Complete Four-Game Series Sweep of Paul Quinn College, 17-5
Posted March 14, 2008
How sweep it is!

After a disastrous start to the 2008 season, the UTB/TSC Scorpions had seven extra-base hits in a 17-5 victory, completing a four-game sweep over Paul Quinn College, Friday, March 14, at Scorpion Field.

The Scorpions, who were 2-18 after March 4, have now won seven of their last nine games to improve their record to 9-20. UTB/TSC scored 42 runs in winning all four games against Paul Quinn over a three-day span.

PQC, members of the Red River Athletic Conference North Zone, dropped to 5-22 overall.

"We're starting playing with consistency, and part of that is that we've settled into a lineup," Scorpion head baseball coach Joel Barta said. "Our guys are getting comfortable at the plate, and when you go out and score early, you play relaxed."

Barta got good pitching performances from the starters in the four game series -- Julian Moya, Tony Lerma, Zach Moya and Jon Ali. "When we get a lead, our pitchers were confident and got into some good pitcher's counts. That way, you can stick to your pitching plan and get ahead of the batters."

The 17 runs the Scorpions scored was their biggest offensive output of the season. UTB/TSC scored nine runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach.

Ryan MacDonald smacked the first pitch of the game over the left-field wall to give the Scorpions an early lead for his second homer of the season. He tripled in the third inning, his fifth triple of the season and third of the series.

Also collecting extra-base hits were Tyler O'Neal with a triple, and Robby Mang, Brian Dombeck, Gilbert Puente and David Pittman with doubles.

MacDonald, Dombeck, and O'Neal had two hits each, while Jorge Camorlinga scored three runs and Dombeck drove in three.

Ali started, going four innings, but the victory went to Jesse Galvan, the second of four Scorpion pitchers. He pitched the fifth inning for his first victory of the season.

Despite sweeping the four-game series, Barta is keeping the players in focus. "We're starting to see how we played in the fall, that we are capable of winning."

The Scorpions have an off day Saturday before playing another four-game stretch over a three-day period starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16, against William Woods University (Mo.). UTB/TSC then plays Fisher College (Mass.) in a three-game series March 17-18.

After the four-game series, the Scorpions finally begin RRAC play on the road March 21-22 against Texas College in Tyler.  "It's not a sprint, it's a train ride," Barta said. "We're certainly closer to where we need to be going into conference next week."