Box Score
The Patriots smashed 15 hits and scored 21 runs to defeat the Broncs from UT Pan American for the second straight time on Friday night. With the victory, DBU improved to 22-18, while the Broncs fell to 15-32
DBU raced out to an early 5-0 lead in bottom of the first inning, after Freshman Austin Knight drew a walk and advanced to second off a double by Junior Austin Krum. Knight then scored the first run of the game off a sacrifice fly by Senior Matt Tucker. Junior Nick Santos walked to bring up Sophomore Trevor Head, who hit his second straight home run for a three run shot over the left field wall. Senior Jimmy Thoma determined not to be out done followed up Heads homerun with a solo shot of his own to give the Patriots a 5-0 lead after one.
The Broncs cut the lead to 5-1 in the top of the second inning when left fielder Blake Whittlesey hit a solo home run down the right field line.
The Patriots scored their sixth run of the game in the bottom half of the second inning when Knight reached base on a single up the middle, advanced to second off a wild pitch, and scored when Senior Garrett Baker drove him in on a single to left field.
DBU continued to extend their lead in the bottom of the third inning when Tucker led off the inning with a double and advanced to third off a wild pitch. Tucker then scored off a fielder's choice by Head, which brought the score to 7-1 after three.
The Patriots extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when they loaded the bases off two hit batsman and an error. Tucker, who was on third base, scored the eighth run of the game off a pass ball. Thoma then walked to bring up Sophomore Brandon Bantz, who hit a two RBI single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw. Sophomore JT Bloodworth followed Bantz hit with a two RBI single of his own. Knight and Baker walked to load the bases one more time for Krum, who hit a base clearing triple to center field and scored the ninth run of the inning on sacrifice fly by
Santos . With runners on the corners, Bantz came up for the second time in the inning and hit a three run homer run to bring the score to 19-1 after five innings of play.
DBU added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Knight led off with a single, advanced to second and third off wild pitches. Baker then drove in Knight with an RBI sacrifice fly to center field.
The Broncs scored their second run of the game in the top of the seventh inning after they managed to load the bases and scored off a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Patriots continued to slap the baseball around the ball park in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Freshman Bo Coffman led off with an infield single and then scored the 21st run of the night off a double by Freshman Ryan Goins.
UT-PA continued to play and showing the will not to give up scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning after they loaded the bases for second baseman Abraham Garcia, who hit a grand slam over the left field wall.
Picking up the victory for DBU was Senior Randall Taylor, who continues to pitch at a high level for the Patriots. Taylor, who improved to 5-2 on the season, went 6.0 innings, allowed one run, on three hits, and struck out eight.
Leading DBU at the plate was Knight, who went two for three, with four runs scored, while Krum added two hits in five at bats, drove in three, and scored two runs. Bantz also had a huge night, with two hits, two runs scored, and five RBI, while Head had four RBI and a hit.
The Patriots and Broncs will wrap up their series tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 right here at Patriot Field.
