UTB/TSC Scorpions News
Scorpion starting pitcher Chris Raley
Scorpion starting pitcher Chris Raley
Baseball - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2010
LUBBOCK -- UTB/TSC's bats came alive again as the Scorpions routed Avila University (Mo.), 15-5, in their loser-go-home NAIA National Baseball Championship Opening Round Group 4 game Wednesday at Hays Field. Photo Gallery!
 
Avila, ranked No. 23 in the nation, saw its season come to an end with a 36-14 record. The Scorpions advance to play Mount Marty College (S.D.), at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
 
UTB/TSC got a solid pitching performance from Chris Raley and got as many hits (15) as runs (15). The Scorpions left only four runners on base.
 
Brian Bustos led the offensive fireworks with two home runs in his first two at bats. His two-run homer in the second inning made it 2-0 and his three-run blast in the third inning blew the game open, 6-0.
 
Jorge Camorlinga went 4-for-4, scored three runs and drove in two.
 
"It all started with Chris on the mound. He really stepped up and did a good job, keeping their guys off balance," Scorpion head coach Bryan Aughney said. "They're a solid team, nationally ranked and won their conference tournament. We strung the sticks well and cashed in some runs. We got 15 hits and scored 15 runs, and that's our goal so we accomplished that."
 
Raley went five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. He struck out one and walked four. Luis Sanchez pitched the sixth inning and Sam Buchanan the seventh.
 
After the 6-0 lead, the Scorpions scored two in the fourth to make it 8-0, and three in the sixth to make it 11-0. Avila scored two in the sixth to cut the lead to 11-2; the Scorpions scored four in the seventh to make it 15-2, and Avila scored three in the bottom of the seventh.
 
The game was called after seven innings because of the 10-run rule.
 
Peter Maldonado added two hits, scored twice and drove in two runs. Gilberto Puente had a two-run double in the seventh in a pinch-hitting role.  Robby Mang scored three times as a courtesy runner for Gus Henggeler, who was 1-for-3 and walked twice.
 
The win over a ranked opponent was the fourth in Scorpion baseball history this year. The first came at the same field in February when the Scorpions edged tournament host and defending national champion Lubbock Christian University. At the time, LCU was ranked No. 1 in the nation, although the Chaparrals finished ranked fifth.
 
UTB/TSC also beat Wayland Baptist University in its season opener when the Pioneers were ranked 14th in the nation earlier this year, and also defeated Texas Wesleyan University, who were ranked 23rd.