EDINBURG, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defeated the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros by a final score of 11-10 in 10 innings.
The Lumberjacks got the scoring started in the first inning as Brock Knoerr singled into left field scoring Peyton Parker from second base and the ‘Jacks took an early 1-0 lead. The Vaqueros then responded in the bottom of the inning scoring four runs and taking the lead 4-1. UTRGV would then extend their lead in the bottom of the third and fourth inning scoring one run in both innings and after four complete innings the Vaqueros led 6-1.
The Lumberjacks started to chip away at the Vaqueros lead in the top of the fifth inning. Dylan Bourgeois doubled to right field to begin the top of the fifth inning and Sam Adams drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. Cole Hill then came to the plate and singled to right field scoring Bourgeois from second and advancing Adams to third. With runners on first and second with one out, Peyton Parker grounded out to the shortstop allowing Adams to score from third. SFA was able to hold UTRGV scoreless in the bottom of the inning and after five complete innings the Vaqueros lead was cut to three runs, 6-3. Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth inning but the ‘Jacks wouldn’t go away quietly.
Dylan Bourgeois led off the top of the seventh inning with a single to right center and was followed by another Sam Adams walk. Both runners were able to move up a base on a wild pitch. Cole Hill lined out to center field but neither runner was able to advance. Colton Griffin then came to the plate and hit his fifth home run of the year over the left field wall to score three runs and knot the game at 6-6. Peyton Parker then worked a walk and then with two outs in the inning and a runner on first, Cal Martin came to the plate and singled through the right side advancing Parker to second. Tom Biggs then singled through the right side scoring Parker and put runners on the corners with two outs for Nolan Brown. Brown quickly singled up the middle scoring Martin from third. After a five-run top of the seventh inning the Lumberjacks led 8-6. The Vaqueros responded in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs to tie the game 8-8. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth and ninth inning and the game headed into the tenth inning.
With one out Nolan Brown singled to the shortstop and was quickly followed by Dylan Bourgeois as he collected his third hit of the night with a single through the right-side. Hunter Prescher then pinch hit for Sam Adams with one out and runners on first and second. Brown then advanced to third on a wild pitch to put runners on the corners. Prescher singled into right center field scoring Brown from third and advancing Bourgeois to third base. Cole Hill quickly followed singling into center field scoring Bourgeois and advancing Prescher to second. Colton Griffin then reached on a fielder’s choice but everyone was safe on the play loading the bases with one out. Peyton Parker then hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Prescher from third and advancing Hill and Griffin. Brock Knoerr grounded out to the short stop to end the top half of the inning but not before the Lumberjacks were able to score three runs and reclaim the lead, 11-8. The Vaqueros would not go away quietly as they were able to score two runs in the bottom of the tenth but came up short and the Lumberjacks took home the victory in 10 innings.
Kade Parker (1-2) took the win on the mound for the Lumberjacks and Aaron Sanchez (0-4) took the loss for the Vaqueros.
The Lumberjacks will be back in action tomorrow for game two of the series. Frist pitch is set for 6:30 P.M. CST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. You can follow all the action on social media or with live stats through the SFA Athletics website.
By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications