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For Immediate
Release: Thursday, January 30, 2003 BRONCS SET TO OPEN BASEBALL SEASON THIS WEEKEND EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team will make its 2003 debut when they host three games this weekend. The Broncs will host Southland Conference pre-season favorite Southwest Texas State Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Sunday, Texas-Pan American will host Schreiner in a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. Saturday's game will follow the City of Edinburg's All-American 10K Run/Walk, which will begin at 1:00 p.m. and finish at the stadium. Immediately following the game, fans will be treated to a fireworks display. Race participants will be admitted to the baseball game for one dollar with the coupon found in their race packet. "It will be an exciting day for UTPA and the City of Edinburg," said Gawlik. "What a great way to begin the season." UTPA finished 15-38 last season, and Willie Gawlik will be making his debut as head coach of the Broncs Saturday evening. SWT was 36-24 last season, advancing to the semi-finals of the Southland Conference Tournament, and Schreiner was 7-32 in 2002. "We should be ready to go," said Gawlik, who played on the Bronc team that reached the College World Series in 1971 and was a successful head coach at Texas Wesleyan and Central Arkansas before succeeding Reggie Tredaway last summer. "We'll have to get good pitching and play good defense in order to be successful this weekend." Saturday night's game against the Bobcats will match a pair of ace right-handed pitchers. Senior Travis Parker (Brownsville, TX/Hanna HS/UT-Brownsville), who started the opener against SWT last year, will face right-hander Bobby Sawicki Saturday. "They're a very good team," said Gawlik. "They have starters back, and four starting pitchers returning, and their ace is a pre-season All-American. Last year, they beat us and they hit several home runs." Sunday's matchup will be Texas-Pan American's first doubleheader of the year. "Schreiner had a good program when they were in the Heart of Texas Conference when we played them when I was at Texas Wesleyan," said Gawlik. "We'll have to play well to beat them." BA-12-03 013003 |