Box Sore Game 1 |  Box Score Game 2


The University of Texas of the Permian Basin baseball team rallied in the bottom of the ninth in the second game of the day Friday afternoon, scoring a pair of runs to pick up their first Heartland Conference victory of the season 3-2 over St. Edward's at Roden Field in Odessa, Texas. The Hilltoppers earned a 3-1 win in the first game of the three-game series.

Trailing 2-1 entering the final half inning of the game, Tyler Forney singled deep in to the hole at short with one out to jumpstart the UTPB offense. He moved into scoring position on a Neil Madsen single past a diving first baseman, advancing to third on the base hit into the outfield and scored on a Michael Rice double into the corner in right. The Hilltoppers intentionally walked Scott Hastings to load the bases with one out, and Tanor Tinley hit a ground ball to short and was out on the throw to first for the second out of the inning as Forney crossed home for the winning run.

Both teams scored their prior runs in the game's middle innings, St. Edward's scoring one in the fifth on an RBI single with two outs by CJ Mannning and adding a second run in the sixth as Cutter Runte led off the frame with a single up the middle, advanced to third on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt and scored on a wild pitch.

The Falcons got their first run of the game with two outs as Ryne Head doubled along the foul line in left field to drive in Nelson Quintero from second.

Jacob Ricossa (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, giving up a hit and a walk in two innings of relief.

AJ Rataic (0-1) took the loss for St. Edward's after entering the game in the bottom of the ninth for the save. He gave up a pair of runs on three hits and a walk in .2 innings pitched.

The Hilltoppers got to UTPB earlier in game one, scoring runs in each of the second and third innings. Manning led off the top of the second and scored two batters later on a fielder's choice, and they doubled their lead in the third as Nate Bobrowski was hit by a pitch with one out, stole second, moved to third on a single into left and came home on a sacrifice bunt as the throw to the plate was late.

St. Edward's added a third run in the top of the fifth as Ransom LaLonde led off the inning with a base hit single. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt, LaLonde found himself at third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly .

UTPB had an opportunity in the bottom of the sixth after scoring a run on a Madsen single into right that scored Ozzie Bueno with two outs, but the tying runs were left stranded to end the inning. 

Brannon Easterling improved to 2-1 on the season with the complete game win, limiting UTPB to one run on four hits and no walks while striking out five.

Brett Rogers fell to 1-3 on the season allowing three runs off of six hits and a pair of walks with one strikeout in 5.2 innings.

The teams meet back at Roden Field for the series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.