EDINBURG, TX – UTRGV'S two pitchers held HCU to three hits as the Vaqueros claimed a 10-0 victory over the Huskies in the season opener Friday evening at UTRGV Baseball Field.
 
Freshman second baseman Cash Benavidez went 2-for-2 with a walk for the Huskies (0-1), while senior shortstop Austin Roccaforte went 1-for-3 with a walk.
 
Junior righthander Rye Gunter (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs, three earned, on three hits with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings for HCU. Senior righthander Chad Ricker threw a shutout two-thirds inning in relief, allowing a hit and a walk.

Isaac Lopez went 2-for-4 scoring two runs, an RBI, drawing a walk, and stole a base, while Roberto Gonzalez was also 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Vaqueros (1-0). Montclair Cain was 1-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, a run, a walk, and a stolen base.

Jesus Aldaz (1-0) earned the win allowing no runs while striking out six with a walk through five innings. Nico Rodriguez allowed one hit with three strikeouts and three walks in two innings of relief.
 
UTRGV scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth when Zerek Saenz doubled to right center scoring Steven Lancia. Isaac Lopez singled to left field to score Saenz just before Montclair Cain walked and  Jacob Sanchez doubled down the left field line to score Lancia. Brandon Pimentel singled to left field to score Cain, and Lancia walked to score Sanchez to round out the inning.
 
The Vaqueros picked up three more in the sixth on a SAC fly by Cain, an RBI single by Roberto Gonzalez, and Pimentel scored on a wild pitch. UTRGV capped off the game with two runs in the seventh on a walk off, two RBI, double by Cain to right field scoring Saenz and Rodriguez.  

The series continues Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.