For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 5, 2004
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

UTPA BASEBALL SET FOR UTPA/AL OGLETREE CLASSIC

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team will return to action this weekend when they host the UTPA/Al Ogletree Classic at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

The four-team, three-day tournament will begin Friday afternoon when Lamar plays Kansas at 1:00 p.m. The Broncs will play Sam Houston State at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, the Broncs and Kansas will meet at 5:00 p.m. A fireworks display will follow the game, which will be followed by a game between Lamar and Sam Houston State at 9:00 p.m. The city of Edinburg will stage their annual Fun Run and Fun Walk Saturday. The 2K Fun Walk begins at 12 noon at the UTPA Bookstore, and the 10K Fun Run begins at 1:00 p.m. Both the walk and the run will conclude at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. A registration table for both races will be available at the stadium Friday during the first two games of the tournament. UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik said that he will join the head coaches of the other three teams in the tournament to participate in the Fun Walk while in uniform, starting at noon Saturday.

After Saturday's UTPA-Kansas game, the members of the 1971 Texas-Pan American baseball team that advanced to the NCAA College World Series will be introduced. "It sure will be good to see those guys," said former Head Coach Al Ogletree, who coached that team and whose name is on the tournament. "We led the nation in defense that year, and we had 60 consecutive scoreless innings. That was one of the best teams I coached. They always came to the ballpark, knew what they had to do, and got the job done." A reception featuring members of the 1971 team will be held at the ballpark Saturday evening.

Sunday, Sam Houston State and Kansas will play at 12 noon. Texas-Pan American and Lamar will conclude tournament action at 3:00 p.m.

"This will be a great weekend, with the tournament being named in Coach Ogletree's honor," said Gawlik. "When he coached here, they would have tournaments every weekend for four or five weeks every spring. This will be the second time that the College World Series team has had a reunion since 1971, and it will be a great weekend for the athletic department, The University of Texas-Pan American and the city of Edinburg as well as the baseball program."

The Broncs will take a 2-2 record into this weekend's games. Kansas is 7-2 after winning five of seven games at Hawaii, and taking two games from Texas Southern last weekend. Sam Houston State and Lamar are opening their seasons this weekend. Lamar, who is receiving votes in the national polls, went 40-18 last season, won the Southland Conference regular season championship with a 20-6 record, and lost the championship game at the NCAA Regional Tournament to host Texas. SHSU was 20-33 last season, 9-18 in SLC play. The Bearkats are picked to finish seventh this season.

"Lamar was in the regionals last year, and Sam Houston State was a contender in their conference," said Gawlik. "Kansas has a good team. It's a great field, and it should be a great tournament."

BA-12-04020504