Austin Hall announced his presence in his first game with UT Permian Basin Baseball in Saturday's season opener.  The junior went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a double to lead the offense at St. Mary's.

The Falcons went without a baserunner until the fifth inning.  Stephen MacKenzie got things going with a single to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Brent Rigtrup followed with an eight-pitch walk to put a pair on with no outs.  Hall then hammered the first pitch of the at bat to left to give the Falcons a 3-2 lead.  

The score remained there in the seventh when Hall pulled a double down the left field line with two outs.  He moved to third on a wild pitch but that's as far as he could get to end the inning.  In the bottom half of the seventh, the Rattlers rallied for four runs to take a 6-3 lead.  The Falcons threatened in the ninth.  Ethan Flodstrom worked a walk and Rigtrup followed with a two-out single to bring Hall to the plate as the tying run.  He ripped an 0-2 pitch to right field but got under it just enough to be run down for the final out.

Six Falcon pitchers combined to strike out seven over eight innings.

These two are back at it tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2 PM.  Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.