March 20, 2004
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - Offense has been the forte for Texas-Arlington this season, but on Saturday afternoon the Mavericks collected only eight hits and stranded 11 runners on base in dropping a 2-1 decision to Sam Houston State at Clay Gould Ballpark.
SHSU starter Zach Adkisson (2-3) had a lot to due with the Mavericks struggles at the plate as he allowed just one earned run on eight hits in 7.1 innings of work.
The Mavericks (13-9, 1-1) lone run of the game came in the first inning as Aaron Batlle came doubled to left center field and came around to score on a Paul Bruder single to center field. The single for Bruder extended his hit streak to 10 games.
UTA starter Jake Baxter was matching Adkisson throughout the game as he did not allow a run on nine hits in five innings of work. Mark Lowe came relieved Baxter in the sixth inning after two Bearkats reached base with nobody out. Lowe was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run to score.
The Bearkats (5-14-1, 1-1) got on the board in the seventh inning as following a fielder's choice, Andrew Kasparek singled up the middle and Dustin Martin ripped a double to right field to tie the game up. The winning run came into score when Lowe uncorked a wild pitch to the next batter.
The Mavericks thought that they had a rally going in the ninth inning as Dane Ryan drew a leadoff pinch hit walk. With one out, Batlle drove the ball to right field, but Marshall Williams made a great running catch for the second out of the inning. Hunter Pence was the Mavericks last hope, but he grounded out to second to end the game.
Pence and Bruder led the offense with two hits apiece. Holzbach and Kasparek each collected three hits for SHSU.
The Mavericks and Bearkats play the rubber match of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
