For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 13, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS SET FOR EXPRESS COLLEGE CLASSIC

EDINBURG, TX-For the second year in a row, The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team will compete in a prestigious college baseball showcase.

The Broncs will play three games in three days at the Dell Diamond, home of the Round Rock Express of the Texas League.

Texas-Pan American will open tournament play against California at 4:00 p.m. Friday. The Broncs will play Nebraska at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, and will face Southwest Texas State Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

UT Pan American defeated Southwest Texas State, 11-3, at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium September 1st. The Bobcats enter the tournament with a 2-4 record, and lost to Texas, 13-7, on Tuesday.

Nebraska, which is opening its 2003 season this weekend, went 47-21 last season and advanced to the College World Series for the second consecutive year. California is 6-2, and has won five consecutive games since losing two of three games to Nevada-Las Vegas two weeks ago.

The Broncs are 4-2, and lost two of three games to Lamar earlier this week. UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik said that the tournament gives his team an opportunity to face good competition.
"I'm looking forward to the tournament, and I'm looking forward to playing the teams that we'll see there," said Gawlik. "If we play the way we're capable of playing, anything can happen. We'll have to get good pitching and play good defense if we're to be successful. If we pitch well and play good defense, we'll be in every game."

Gawlik knows that the competition will be tough. "California has a good ballclub," said Gawlik. "They've played good competition, and so have we, so it should be interesting. Nebraska will be playing their first series. Everyone else has already played, but they have a lot of experience. We played well the last time we played Southwest Texas, and we'll have to play well again. We don't have any margin for error against any of these teams."

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