EDINBURG, Texas – The UTRGV baseball team secured a 2-1 series victory after defeating the Rhode Island (URI) Rams 15-1 at UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg. Senior Zach Tjelmeland delivered an impressive performance in his first start in three years, pitching a career-high 4.2 innings and striking out a career-high seven batters, helping the team to victory.
Freshman Armani Raygoza and Graduate student CJ Valdez also made significant contributions to the Vaqueros’ win, with Raygoza going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Valdez went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, six RBIs, and two runs scored.
The Vaqueros opened the scoring in the first inning thanks to an RBI-double by Junior Steven Lancia, recording an outstanding 5-for-5 performance with a career-high two doubles, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
The bullpen also played a crucial role in the victory, with senior Edinburg Vela alum Nico Rodriguez retiring all six batters he faced, striking out four. The strong pitching performance from the bullpen secured the Vaqueros’ dominant win.
The team’s impressive offensive display was further highlighted by a series of multi-run innings, with the Vaqueros plating a total of 15 runs, including a five-run third inning and a four-run fourth inning. This offensive outburst showcased the team’s depth and skill at the plate.
UTRGV Baseball Stadium will now host a three-game nonconference series against Milwaukee on Friday, providing fans with an opportunity to witness the team’s continued pursuit of success. Tickets for the upcoming series are currently on sale and can be purchased through the official website.
The Vaqueros’ convincing victory over the URI Rams sets an optimistic tone for the remainder of the season, as they aim to build on this successful start and continue their strong form in upcoming fixtures.