UTRGV graduate utility player Bryan Sturges swings at the ball during the bottom of the fourth Omar E. Zapata /The Rider
The Vaqueros started the season 3-0 after defeating The George Washington University in a three-game series last weekend at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
On Friday, senior Kevin Stevens and junior Jesus Aldaz pitched a one-hit shutout to lead UTRGV to a 3-0 season opening victory, all while wearing throwback Pan American University uniforms to celebrate the 1971 College World Series Broncs team.
Saturday saw the Vaqueros beat the Colonials 7-1. George Washington (0-3) started the day 1-0, but miscues in the bottom of the fourth gave UTRGV the 4-1 lead.
On Sunday, UTRGV had its highest scoring output since 2010 by defeating George Washington 23-3. Junior outfielder Brandon Pimentel led the Vaqueros to victory with a pair of three-run home runs.
A crowd of 2,418 attended the opening game last Friday at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium, the largest attendance for a home game since before 2008.
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UTRGV junior outfielder Brandon Pimentel dives for second base as Colonials Steve Ditomaso attempts to get him out in the sixth inning.
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Redshirt sophomore infielder Alex Kelch prepares to hit the ball during the sixth inning. Kelch hit a grounder to second base to allow junior outfielder Brandon Pimentel to score and make it 2-0.
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Graduate infielder Deandre’ Shelton reaches out to Colonials outfielder Logan Leax as he slides into second base last Saturday at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
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UTRGV graduate utility player Bryan Sturges swings at the ball during the bottom of the fourth.
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Junior infielder Diego Ramirez slides to home plate to make it 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth against the Colonials.
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George Washington’s infielder Ryan Herskowitz strikes out during the sixth inning.
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Graduate utility player Bryan Sturges catches the ball on first base to get Colonials catcher Anthony Frechette out last Sunday at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.
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UTRGV redshirt freshman infielder Isaac Lopez slides to second base while Colonials freshman infielder Ty Acker during the seventh inning last Sunday.
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Graduate outfielder Freddy Rojas Jr. swings at the ball during the seventh inning last Sunday. Rojas finished the game with his second-career three-hit game, going three for four with a double, two walks and a career-high three runs scored.
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Sophomore infielder Jacob Sanchez (right) and graduate infielder Deandre’ Shelton celebrate Sanchez’s first-career home run by dancing the “Giddy” with teammates last Sunday.
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Junior pitcher Jesus Aldaz prepares to hurl the ball during the seventh inning against the Colonials last Friday at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium. Aldaz pitched a career-high 3.0 hitless innings, striking out a career-high five.
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