Baseball Off to Good Start in Conference Play

The long-awaited Red River Athletic Conference opener is now history. There was good news and bad news.

First the bad news. The Scorpions' nine-game winning streak came to a quick end in the first of three games against Texas College. The Scorpions, who had 10 or more hits in 10 of the previous 17 games, ran into a buzz saw in the opener. Steers' pitcher Kyle Burright threw a gem at the Scorpions, shutting them out, and allowing only four hits. Jorge Camorlinga's 14-game hitting streak came to an end.

Danny Gidora was the hard-luck losing pitcher in the 3-0 loss. Usually, the opening game of a series matches the two No. 1 pitchers for each team, and Gidora has emerged as the Scorpions' No. 1. Again, he did not receive offensive support to pick up the win.

But the bats woke up in the next two games. UTB/TSC beat Texas College in the next two games, 17-7 and 10-5. The Scorpions had 16 hits in the first win and 17 in the second. The Scorpions pounded the ball in the 10-5 win, ripping three two-run homers, two triples, and five doubles. Matt Ginn hit his sixth homer, Gus Henggeler his second and Walter Blume his first of the year.

Now the 19-16 Scorpions turn their attention to Huston-Tillotson University, hoping for a series sweep against the Rams, who are 8-18 overall.

UTB/TSC returns home for its next four games, a non-conference game against Texas A&M International University April 6, and a three-game series against Jarvis Christian College April 9-10.

Until next time ...