HOUSTON – The Tigers of Texas Southern University used "small ball" and the "long ball" Saturday to claim an 8-4 comeback victory over Prairie View A&M.
Gaudencio Lucca belted two home runs while teammate Jose Camacho provided the game-winning RBI on a home run of his own as the Tigers erased deficits of 3-0 and 4-2.
Anthony Martinez pitched six solid innings for the Tigers (12-23, 10-6 SWAC West), striking out six batters and allowing four runs in a no-decision effort. Robert Loza (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Tigers, inducing three PVAMU flyball outs, while Michael Villanueva struck out five batters as part of a two-inning save.
The Panthers (13-25) fell to 6-8 in Southwestern Athletic Conference divisional play. TSU's victory was the fourth over Prairie View A&M in five games this season; the teams conclude their series on Easter Sunday.
With the Tigers trailing 3-0 in the fifth, Lucca knocked the first of his two home runs when lifted a pitch from Darrien Williams down the left-field line that continued to carry until it was well out of reach of PV's fielders. Lucca's 2-run homer scored himself and Richard Alamo.
TSU trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, when Lucca came up again and blasted a solo home run deep over the left-centerfield fence to the game. After Williams struck out the next batter, the Panthers brought in Phillip Gay to pitch to Camacho. Camacho sent a 1-1 pitch over the high wall in straight-away centerfield to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.
Looking to build to their lead in the eighth, Horace LeBlanc led off the inning with a double and moved to third when Ricky Urbano grounded out. LeBlanc was held at third when Jose Cabreja knocked an infield single, and later stole second. The Tigers then opted for a suicide squeeze with Kamren Dukes at the plate. Dukes' bunt was perfectly between the mound and home plate, allowing both LeBlanc and Cabreja to score, and keep the Tiger fans on their feet.
Texas Southern plays its final home game of the season on Easter Sunday. First pitch between the Panthers and Tigers is scheduled for 1 p.m. at MacGregor Park; the Tigers will honor their six seniors on the roster at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
Gaudencio Lucca belted two home runs while teammate Jose Camacho provided the game-winning RBI on a home run of his own as the Tigers erased deficits of 3-0 and 4-2.
Anthony Martinez pitched six solid innings for the Tigers (12-23, 10-6 SWAC West), striking out six batters and allowing four runs in a no-decision effort. Robert Loza (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Tigers, inducing three PVAMU flyball outs, while Michael Villanueva struck out five batters as part of a two-inning save.
The Panthers (13-25) fell to 6-8 in Southwestern Athletic Conference divisional play. TSU's victory was the fourth over Prairie View A&M in five games this season; the teams conclude their series on Easter Sunday.
With the Tigers trailing 3-0 in the fifth, Lucca knocked the first of his two home runs when lifted a pitch from Darrien Williams down the left-field line that continued to carry until it was well out of reach of PV's fielders. Lucca's 2-run homer scored himself and Richard Alamo.
TSU trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, when Lucca came up again and blasted a solo home run deep over the left-centerfield fence to the game. After Williams struck out the next batter, the Panthers brought in Phillip Gay to pitch to Camacho. Camacho sent a 1-1 pitch over the high wall in straight-away centerfield to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.
Looking to build to their lead in the eighth, Horace LeBlanc led off the inning with a double and moved to third when Ricky Urbano grounded out. LeBlanc was held at third when Jose Cabreja knocked an infield single, and later stole second. The Tigers then opted for a suicide squeeze with Kamren Dukes at the plate. Dukes' bunt was perfectly between the mound and home plate, allowing both LeBlanc and Cabreja to score, and keep the Tiger fans on their feet.
Texas Southern plays its final home game of the season on Easter Sunday. First pitch between the Panthers and Tigers is scheduled for 1 p.m. at MacGregor Park; the Tigers will honor their six seniors on the roster at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics