UTPB baseball scored the final six runs of the afternoon as the Falcons completed their six straight win and earned their second straight Heartland Conference sweep in a 15-4 defeat of Rogers State at Diamond Sports Complex in Claremore, Okla.
The Falcons came back from trailing 1-0 early with a three run top of the second.
Kevin Barnes and
Daniel Andrade led off the frame with a pair of singles and both scored on an Alfred Itturalde bunt for a single that was thrown away to let two runs score. After reaching third on the play, Itturalde scored on a fielder's choice that let
Randal Toribio reach first safely.
The Falcons built in some separation after an hour long rain delay, scoring five runs in the top of the sixth. Andrade drove in his first of the day on a base hit up the middle to drive home Barnes. He scored later in the inning on a balk, and Itturalde scored on his second fielder's choice play at the plate on the day for a 6-1 lead.
David Lee drove in two more unearned runs to put the Falcons on top 8-1.
Toribio added to the lead in the seventh with a bases-loaded single into right that scored Barnes to go on top 9-1.
The Hillcats got three in the seventh to close within 9-4, but the Falcons broke out the stick in the eighth, adding six more runs as Andrade grounded out to bring in Lee,
Ryan Souza singled to center to score
Bryan Van Vranken and Alfred Itturalde,
Matt Reyes got a hit down the left field line that scored Toribio, and an error at third allowed Souza and Reyes to score.
Chris Cano picked up his 6th win of the year, throwing five innings of one-run ball. He walked none on the day, allowing four hits and striking out three.
Nolan Schattel earned his 7th save after entering in the eighth, striking out three and giving up a hit in 1.1 innings.
The Falcons pounded out 14 hits as a team, led by Barnes with a 3-5 day at the plate with three runs scored, while Reyes, Kowal, Barnes and Itturalde each had a pair of hits on the afternoon.
The Falcons look to stay hot next weekend, returning home to host UA Fort Smith in a three-game set beginning Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Roden Field.
