It was an impressive game all-around for the Missions as they defeated the Midland RockHounds 8-2 on Tuesday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. 

Starting pitcher Jared Kollar allowed just one hit across six innings as he and the Missions’ defense held their ground throughout the entire game. Pair the spectacular pitching performance with an explosive outing from Padres’ No.11 prospect, Brandon Valenzuela, and the Missions become a tough team to beat. 

“I was just trying to find pitches that I can do damage on,” Valenzuela said.  

The San Antonio offense came to play, taking an early lead off the bat of outfielder Cole Cummings. Cummings gave the Missions a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning, ripping a home run over the right-center field wall. 

The Missions added two more runs to their lead over the next two innings. 

In the second, Ray-Patrick Didder knocked one over the left field wall. 

The following inning, Valenzuela earned his first of five RBIs with an RBI single into center field, allowing Cummings to touch home plate. 

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Missions’ offense continued to pile on to their lead, with Valenzuela adding three runs with just a single swing. 

Following a pitching change from the RockHounds, Ripken Reyes and Michael De La Cruz found their way onto first and second base, respectively. Facing an 0-2 count, Valenzuela launched his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall, giving the Missions a firm 7-0 lead. 

The RockHounds prevented the shutout in the top of the seventh with an RBI double from outfielder Caeden Trenkle, giving Midland their first and only score of the game. 

Valenzuela tacked on the last run of the night for the Missions, an RBI double into center field to score Cummings once again. 

Though it was his best performance of the year, Valenzuela claimed it was all a product of his consistency.

“I was just trying not to do too much, sticking to the plan, sticking to the routine, and keep ballin ‘out with the boys,” Valenzuela said. 

The RockHounds managed one final run in the top of the ninth but there would be no comeback, this one was all Missions. 

Game 2 of the Missions’ series against the RockHounds is set for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.

Rylan Renteria

Rylan is a psychology major in his junior year at UTSA, and is currently a writer for The Paisano. As a major fan of both the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, Rylan is also very supportive of the San Antonio Spurs and all UTSA Athletics Aside from watching sports, Rylan enjoys watching horror movies, playing video games and playing intramural sports.