One year ago, UTPB senior Brent Hardy was the staff ace.
After a rough start to the season, Hardy was relegated to bullpen work.
Rather than complain or mope like many seniors might, Hardy has embraced the role.
The senior has been solid for the Falcons and was again Saturday, pitching three innings of scoreless relief in a 1-0 10-inning game.
UTPB won the first game 3-0 over Lincoln University in the Heartland Conference doubleheader at Roden Field.
"I'm kind of liking it," Hardy said. "It's not too hard. The psychological part is different, but you learn to adapt.
"All I want to do is win. This is my senior year and whatever I can do to help I will."
Hardy entered in the top of the eighth inning Saturday with a runner on third and no outs.
He quickly picked Lincoln's Jacob Moore off the bag. After allowing a single and getting the second out, he picked Mike Rodgers off of second.
"A leadoff triple and for them not to score, that was a huge lift for us," UTPB head coach Brian Reinke said.
The Falcons won the game in the 10th as Eric Gutierrez doubled to put runners at second and third. Mario Barredo followed with an RBI single to win it.
While the UTPB offense struggled to score runs, its pitching was stout.
Flynn Stachowski pitched seven shutout innings to earn the victory in the opener, allowing four hits and striking out six.
In the second game, Danny Frisby went seven-plus innings, allowing three hits and striking out four.
"Sometimes I take those three (pitchers) for granted," Reinke said. "Every time they do everything you want them to do. They understand how to pitch."
Hardy struck out two in his three innings of work.
"It really doesn't bother me (to pitch in relief)," Hardy said. "I just want to win."

UTPB 3, Lincoln 0

Game 1

Lincoln 000 000 0 - 0 4 1
UTPB 012 000 x - 3 12 0
Dan Scanio, Corey Buersmeyer (5) and Dan Struemph; Flynn Stachowski and Robert Leigh. W - Flynn Stachowski. L - Dan Scanio. 2B - UTPB: Will Basom, Matt Scheffer.

UTPB 1, Lincoln 0 (10)

Game 2

Lincoln 000 000 000 0 - 0 4 1
UTPB 000 000 000 1 - 1 8 1
Note: No outs, two runners left on base when winning run scored.
Andy Moss, Ben Neuner (10) and Mike Costa; Danny Frisby, Brent Hardy (8) and Derek Dibbens. W - Brent Hardy. L - Ben Neuner. 2B - UTPB: Eric Gutierrez, Will Basom. 3B - Lincoln: Jacob Moore; UTPB: Derek Dibbens.
Records: Lincoln is 3-11 overall, 3-11 Heartland Conference; UTPB is 13-7, 9-7.