Turning the corner

For baseball, losing six straight WAC games could have been the dagger. Heading into April 1’s matchup with California State University, Bakersfield, UTRGV had lost four conference games in a row and seven overall.

Getting swept would have had the Vaqueros in last place and it would have been a long trip back to the Valley.

In an offensive explosion, the Vaqueros used a 12-hit performance to score 13 runs and narrowly edge CSU-Bakersfield. A day later, in the rubber match, UTRGV returned to early season form.

Andrew Garcia pitched for six innings, allowing 10 hits but only two runs. The offense came through with timely hitting, specifically a solo home run by second baseman Austin Siener, which stood as the game winner.

“It’s exciting,” Siener said. “It’s cool knowing that the coaches trust me to have me in there every day, and I’m sure these guys want me in there right away. It’s a good feeling being able to come in and impact right away.”

The junior transfer has been impactful in field and at the plate. In batting, he was tied for second in hits after two Western Athletic Conference series, with eight. He was the team leader in total bases, with 13, part of his five RBI. He has also yet to make an error in a conference game.

Siener is one of only three players who have started in all of UTRGV’s games so far. The St. Louis native is in his first year after transferring from Illinois Central College.

Head Coach Manny Mantrana, in his ninth year with the program, is relying on his usual roster combination of many transfers and a few homegrown talents.

The veteran coach knows the importance of having a successful conference campaign. Last year, UTRGV missed out on the Western Athletic Conference tournament after a 10-14 record.

“Every WAC weekend is important. And every pitch, every at bat counts,” Mantrana said. “We got to make sure that we’re focused and do the best that we can so we don’t throw away a pitch or an at bat or any WAC weekend.”

Siener has made an immediate impact, but he’s not the only newcomer contributing this year. Shortstop Ivan Estrella has connected for 32 hits, amassing 25 RBI.

Also receiving praise from the head coach was Conrad McMahon. The outfielder out of Kansas City has added 11 conference hits, bringing his total in his first year with the Vaqueros to 30.

The team is trying to erase its seven-game losing streak that started with a 9-7 loss at the University of Texas, a game in which the team blew a 7-0 lead.

Mantrana, who has been around the game of baseball for decades, said the key to getting through slumps is continuing to work hard.

“Once they’re hitting the ball, it’s kind of a contagious thing, it rubs on one another,” he said. “And going into a slump is part of baseball. For the most part, it’s just keeping them confident, continuing to work.”

UTRGV will be at home again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to host Seattle University in hopes of getting back to its strong home play. The Vaqueros started the season on a nine-game home win streak.