May 11, 2003
Box Score
HUNTSVILLE, Texas...The University of Texas at Arlington baseball team hurt their chances of winning the Southland Conference regular season championship as they came out flat and never recovered in losing the game and the series to Sam Houston State 8-3 Sunday afternoon at Holleman Field. Lamar defeated McNeese State which means the Mavs must sweep Lamar in Beaumont next weekend to capture the regular season crown.
SHSU (20-30, 9-15 SLC) got on the scoreboard in the third inning as Jeremy Holzbach started the inning with a bunt single down the third base line and came into score on Andrew Kasparek's third home run of the series over the right center field fence.
UTA (31-21, 17-7 SLC) got a run back in the fourth inning as Ryan Roberts beat out an infield single down the third base line and Hunter Pence drilled a ground rule double to straight away center field. Darrell Preston scored Roberts with a groundout to third.
The Bearkats answered the run in their half of the fourth as three straight singles, including back-to-back bunts loaded the bases. Holzbach's fielder's choice allowed one run to score, but Chris Taylor's attempt to turn the double play got passed Preston at first and went into the dugout allowing a second run to score. Lou Ferrell plated the third run of the inning with a run producing double to right field.
The Mavericks got a run back in the sixth as Taylor singled up the middle and stole second base. Pence plated Taylor with a single through the right side.
UTA got another run in the seventh inning as Robby Deevers hit his eighth homerun of the season well over the left fence, trimming the lead to two runs.
SHSU added insurance in the eighth as Dom Garcia delivered a RBI double down the right field line and Jonathan Stone followed with a two-RBI single up the middle.
Jordan Tata (4-7) picked up the victory by allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out 10 Maverick hitters Charlie Coffey (6-3) took the loss by allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 2.3 innings of work.
Pence led the offense with three hits as the Maveicks only collected nine hits.
The Mavericks return to action Tuesday evening as they play their finals non-conference game of the season against the Sooners of Oklahoma in Norman. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
