With eight losses in a row, the UTPB baseball team’s schedule continues to get harder this week.
After being swept in last week’s four-game series against St. Edward’s, the Falcons will hit the road to face a Lone Star Conference team that’s no stranger to qualifying for the NCAA Division II tournament on a regular basis as UTPB will go up against West Texas A&M.
The four-game series will begin with a 2 p.m. game Friday at Wilder Park in Canyon.
The series will continue with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and conclude with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday.
UTPB (2-14 overall, 2-14 in Lone Star Conference) hasn’t won a game since its 16-12 win against Texas A&M International back on Feb. 9.
West Texas A&M (9-5, 7-5) is coming off 6-3 loss to Cameron University from Monday in Lawton, Okla. in a series that the Buffaloes still won 3-1.
“Anytime you face a team like WT, it’s tough,” UTPB head coach Justin Phillips said. “Their facilities are incredible. They’re pitching really well right now. We need to do what we can to survive what the first couple of games will produce and answer back whenever we get an opportunity.”
UTPB lost to St. Edward’s by scores of 11-0, 8-3, 7-3 and 16-5.
UTPB remains at the bottom of the Lone Star Conference standings, tied only with newcomers Sul Ross State.
The Falcons have been swept in the last two series.
Prior to last week, UTPB lost all four games against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
“Last week started the trend where the losses began to bother them,” Phillips said. “That’s always good. This weekend was more of that. (The players) are starting to see the small details and small things that are necessary that a team like St. Edward’s did. (St. Edward’s) worked from the ground up. They pitched well. They got timely hits. Those small details allow you the opportunity to have success. We need to capitalize to get that chance.”
To clarify, while the losses aren’t good, Phillips said he’s glad that they’re starting to bother his players.
“It’s a good thing that it’s bothering them,” Phillips said. “If you enjoy losing, it’s a problem. The fact that it’s bothering them tells you that they want more. That they understand what the capacity is and what it takes to be in that position.”
Pitching has been a weak spot for the Falcons.
In the fourth game of the series against St. Edward’s, the Falcons allowed 16 hits while allowing seven hits in Game 3, 12 in Game 2 and seven in opening contest.
“We have to pitch a lot better,” Phillips said. “We have to throw strikes at a higher level … We need to make the big pitches. We need to continue to encourage our guys to deal with the adversity at a higher-level. It’s ok to make mistakes but you can’t keep piling those things up.”
Still, if there’s one positive thing Phillips had to say from last week’s series, it’s that his team isn’t giving up.
“We don’t quit,” Phillips said. “Our energy in the dugout is good. Our players want to be here and want to make changes. We need to keep striving to do what we can to make things right.”
Lone Star Conference
Team Overall Conference
Angelo State 14-2, 14-2
UT-Tyler 14-2, 14-2
St. Edward’s 14-3, 13-3
St. Mary’s 10-4, 13-3
West Texas A&M 9-5, 7-5
Lubbock Christian 9-7, 9-7
Texas A&M-Kingsville 9-8, 8-8
Texas A&M International 7-10, 7-9
Eastern New Mexico 7-7, 5-7
Cameron 5-11, 5-11
Oklahoma Christian 2-10, 2-10
Sul Ross State 2-14, 2-14
UTPB 2-14, 2-14
Related
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
