Recap : Pitching propels Cowboy baseball to series win against UT Rio Grande Valley

This weekend Cowboy Baseball opened their season against UT Rio Grande Valley. Overall it was a good series from the Cowboys both at the plate and on the mound. The Cowboys gave one up on Saturday with some defensive struggles but were still able to leave the Texas valley with a series win over the Vaqueros.

Friday (2/15):

After giving up a run on an RBI up the middle from UTRGV’s Anthony Gomez, the Cowboys answered in the second and never looked back. They totaled 10 runs on 15 hits on the night to start the season with at 10-3 win. Max Hewitt had three hits and two RBIs in the lead off spot and Bryce Carter had three hits of his own and three RBIs.

On the mound, starter Jensen Elliott pitched four innings and five strikeouts. He would give up all three runs on four hits. Elliott would hit three batters to bring in Peyton Battenfield who would get the win for the Cowboys. He pitched two innings giving up a hit and striking out two. Reliever Joe Lienhard pitched two innings and gave up a hit and had four strikeouts before Ben Leeper came in and closed for an inning and got a strikeout.

Saturday (2/16):

The Cowboy bats were not as hot on Saturday afternoon with just two runs on six hits. Colin Simpson had a hit and would bring in both of the Cowboys’ runs with two RBIs. The Vaqueros would tie the series with a 5-2 victory.

On the mound, Logan Gragg would take the loss. He pitched two innings and gave up four runs on four hits. Gragg would also have four errors and a strikeout. Jake Lyons would pitch four innings and give up two hits and no runs. Brady Basso and Brett Standlee would come in and pitch a combined two innings and give up two hits and a run combined. Basso would also have an error.

Sunday (2/17):

The rubber match in this series was a pitcher’s dual that ended in a 3-1 victory for the Cowboys. Mitchell Stone would have himself a fantastic season debut with the W. He pitched 5 and ¹⁄₃ innings and gave up two hits and no runs and had six (!!! ) strikeouts. He would hit two batters and have a walk but overall he threw some great stuff and six strikeouts isn’t a bad day at the ballpark.

Ben Leeper got the Cowboys out of a big jam as he pitched three strikeouts in a row after giving up a single and a double to his first two batter. He would close with 2 innings with three hits and no runs and four strikeouts.

At the plate, the Cowboys three runs came on seven hits; three of those coming from Bryce Carter who also had an RBI. It was scoreless until Carson McCusker hit a homer in the fifth inning. Dylan Gardner had an RBI for the Cowboys other run.

The Cowboys will come home to Allie P. for the last ever home opener in the old ballpark as they have a mid-week series with University of Arkansas Little Rock on Tuesday and Wednesday.