GLENDALE, AZ---The University of the Southwest Baseball program took to the highway for their first road trip of the 2020 season. The Mustangs entered the Coach Calderone Invitational hosted by Arizona Christian University on the campus of Apollo High School. The first day of the Invitational put the Mustangs up against two teams receiving votes nationally. 


GAME 1
(RV) Antelope Valley 4---USW 2

The Mustangs first opponent of the day was the Pioneers from the University of Antelope Valley. UAV was receiving votes prior to the season and came in with a 2-1 record overall. JJ Kruzel got the start on the hill for the Mustangs and pitched a great game despite leaving without the lead. Kruzel went 6 innings allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits while striking out 5. Kruzel got into trouble in the bottom of the 2nd when the Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Kruzel would hold the Pioneers until the 6th inning when he allowed a solo homerun to push the lead the 4-0. But the Mustangs would answer with a run of their own in the top of the 7th off the bat of Brian Rodriguez. The Mustangs didn't go down without a fight as they scratched another run in the top of the 9th to bring the score to 4-2. Unfortunately the Mustangs ran out of outs and fell 4-2. 

Brian Rodriguez led the way by going 3-5 with 2 RBI's and a double. Nicholas Palomino added 3 hits of his own and scored the 2 lone runs for the Mustangs. 

Carlos Baldenegro came in relief of JJ Kruzel and threw the final 2 innings of the game allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. 


GAME 2
(RV) Arizona Christian 11---USW 7

The Mustangs got the bats going early in Game 2 as they pushed 2 runs across in the 1st inning thanks to a 2 RBI double from Bobby Galindo scoring Brian Rodriguez and courtesy runner Jacob Harris. But the early lead did not deter the host Firestorm as they answered back with 2 of their own in the bottom of the 2nd and 5 in the bottom of the 3rd. Despite giving up the lead early, the Mustangs hung tough and countered with 5 runs of their own in the top of the 4th to tie the game. Bobby Galindo sent a ball over the right-centerfied fence to tie the game up at 7-7 in the top of the 4th. 

Orlan Warren got the start for the Mustangs on the mound and was roughed up for 7 runs on 8 hits in 2 1/3 inning. Freshman Alex Peterson came in relief and kept the Mustangs in it by throwing 4 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs and 7 hits. Saliel Rivera threw the 8th inning and did not allow a run. 

Brian Rodriguez led the Mustangs hitters with 3 hits and 2 runs while driving in 1 as well. First basemen Bobby Galindo droped in 4 as he went 2-4 with a HR and double. 


The Mustangs are back in action Friday morning as they take on Taylor University (IN) with first pitch scheduled for 9:00 AM MST.