EDINBURG, Texas— Pinch hitter Blake Thomas' two-out single in the bottom of the ninth gave Texas-Pan American (16-23, 6-7 WAC) a 2-1 victory over Bakersfield (14-21, 7-6 WAC) 2-1 Thursday night.

Ross Hough (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Central Arizona College) gave the 'Runners a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when he singled home Oscar Sanay (Sr., Chula Vista, Calif., Bonita Vista HS).

Roadrunner starter Taylor Aikenhead (Sr., Lancaster, Calif., BakersfieldCollege) allowed an infield single to open the game to the Broncs before retiring the next 11 in a row. UTPA's Jesus Garcia reached on a CSUB error with two outs in the bottom of the fourth but Aikenhead retired the next batter to get out of the inning. The Bakersfield lefty pitched around a sixth inning walk to quiet a Broncs' threat.

Aikenhead walked Alberto Morales to open the seventh, but Alberto Morales was cut down at second when Hough, the Roadrunner catcher, threw him out on Lee Rios' sacrifice bunt attempt. With Rios at first, Shane Ammon walked on four Aikenhead pitches. Dillon Englehart struck out looking for the second out. Evan Mason struck out swinging to end the frame. Aikenhead retired UTPA in order in the eighth.

Garcia opened the ninth by reaching on a Bakersfield error. Morales flew out to left to bring up Rios who doubled down the left field line. Garcia advanced to third. With the infield in, Ammon hit a ball to second which kept the tying run from scoring, but loaded the bases. Englehart ground back to Aikenhead who threw out Garcia at the plate, setting the stage for Mason's game winning hit which came on a 2-1 count.

UTPA pitcher Sam Street (9-0) retired 12 of the final 14 'Runners he faced on his last 34 pitches (Street threw 108 for the game) over the final four innings. Hough had two of the five Bakersfield hits. Aikenhead took the loss, giving up four hits.

The series continues Friday with first pitch set for 6 pm. (CDT).

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