For Immediate Release: Monday, March 3, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS HOST REYNOSA BRONCOS TUESDAY NIGHT

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team will return to action when they host the Reynosa Broncos of the Mexican League in an exhibition game Tuesday night. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

The Broncs bring a 9-8 record into Tuesday night's contest, which will not count in their record. Reynosa is currently taking part in spring training in Monterrey, Mexico and will open its regular season at home against the Owls of the Two Laredos Wednesday evening, March 19th. The Mexican League is in Class AAA, the highest classification in the minor leagues.

"It's a great event for the baseball program, the university, the city of Edinburg, and the city of Reynosa," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "We plan to make this an annual event, with the game rotating back and forth between here and Reynosa, and we hope it's the continuation of a great working agreement. It will also give people an opportunity who haven't seen us play to come over and watch college baseball."

Last year, Reynosa defeated the Broncs, 5-3 on a two-run homer by Rafael Castaneda in the top of the ninth inning before 1604 fans at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Three years ago, Reynosa defeated Texas-Pan American, 6-3, before an overflow crowd of 4746 at Jody Ramsey Stadium.

"We'll approach the game like we approach any other game," said Gawlik. "The guys who threw last weekend against Corpus Christi will not throw, unless we run into an emergency, which will give us a chance to give the guys who didn't pitch last weekend an opportunity to be on the mound. We'll probably try to use as many of our position players as we can. We're looking forward to it, it should be an exciting event."

The Broncs will return to action when they visit Texas A&M this weekend.

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