Feb. 17, 2004
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - Making only his third career start, sophomore right-hander Michael Gardner looked like a season veteran as he stymied the TCU bats for shutout innings of two hit ball in Texas-Arlington's 11-0 victory in the home opener Tuesday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark.
The victory moved Gardner to 1-0 on the season and was his second career victory.
The Mavericks (1-2) got on the board early as Hunter Pence started a two-out first inning rally with a single up the middle. Darrell Preston followed with a single over the head of the shortstop and just in front of the left fielder advancing Pence to third. Scott Williams would plate the run with a single passed the bag at first.
UTA added to its lead in the fourth inning as following a Ryan Nelson single to center field, Paul Bruder homered over the left field fence.
The sixth inning saw the Mavs push another run across as Bruder led off with a single to center field and was balked over to second. Carey Avants put down a sacrifice bunt, but was safe when Kyle Dahlberg's throw pulled the first baseman off the bag. Brett Lewis was next to bunt as his sacrifice scored Bruder from third with the fourth run.
UTA broke the game wide open in the seventh inning as Preston led off the inning with a single to right field and Baker singled through the right side. After Nelson advanced the runners on a groundout, Bruder was intentionally walked load the bases and set up a left-left matchup. The Mavericks countered by sending right-handed pinch hitter Ryan Werner to the plate who in turned ripped a two-run single to center field. Bruder advanced to third on a wild pitch and came into score when the second straight pinch hitter, Daniel Macha, delivered an RBI single to center field. McSpadden walked to load the bases and set up the game's final blow. Ahead in the count 2-0, Batlle turned on the next pitch over the right center field fence for a grand slam.
The Mavericks bats pounded out 15 hits led by Pence with four and Preston, Baker and Bruder with two apiece. Batlle's four RBIs sets a new career-high, while his home run was the third of his career. Nelson, Werner and Macha each collected their first hits in a Mavericks uniform.
Mike Snapp retired all three batters he faced in the eighth inning. His appearance was the 96th in his UTA career and needs only two more appearances to become the Southland Conference all-time leader in appearances.
Clint Mokry took the loss and moved to 0-2 on the season as the Horned Frogs dropped their fourth straight decision and fall to 1-4 on the season.
UTA returns to action tomorrow afternoon as it heads to Shreveport, La. to take on Centenary. First pitch has been pushed back to 6 p.m. at Shehee Stadium.
