March 26, 2004
Box Score
MONROE, Louisiana - The Univeristy of Texas at Arlingotn baseball team errupted for seven runs in the fifth inning and survived a late rally from Louisiana-Monroe for a 10-7 victory in the series opener at Indian Field.
The Mavericks (15-10, 3-1 SLC) got on the board in the first inning as with two outs, Hunter Pence hammered a 2-0 changeup over the 20-foot wall in straight away center field for his fourth home run of the season.
The Indians (11-13, 0-4 SLC) took the lead in the second inning as Andy Jones and Josh Morrison were hit by pitches. Bradley Hoffpauir made UTA pay as he tripled to right center field to score both runs as Paul Bruder slipped in going after the ball. Justin LaBorde plated the third run with a run producing groundout to shortstop.
The Mavs tied the game up in the fourth inning as Ryan Nelson drew a one-out base on balls and Dane Ryan followed with a single to left field. Brett Lewis brought in Nelson with a double down the left field line and Josh McSpadden followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at three.
UTA broke the game open in the fifth inning as it pushed seven runs across in the inning. Kasey Baker started things with a single into the hole at shorstop and Aaron Batlle followed with a base on balls before Pence drove in his second run of hte game with a single up the middle. Paul Bruder loaded the bases with a bunt base hit to third. Nelson plated a run with a walk and Dane Ryan had an RBI groundout. Brett Lewis walked to reload the bases before Josh McSpadden cleared them with a three-run triple to left center field. The final run came when Aaron Cook reached on a fielding error by the third baseman Lane LaBorde.
ULM made a game of it in the eighth inning as they pushed three runs across as a pair of hits and a pair of UTA errors led to three unearened runs.
The Indians threatened again in the ninth inning before closer Mike Snapp came in to seal the deal for his third save of the season.
Pence led the offense by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. McSpadden knocked in a career-best four runs in the game. ULM was led by Justin LaBorde's three hits.
Michael Gardner improved to 6-0 on the season as he allowed three earned runs on six hits in seven innings of work. Justin Lensch (2-3) took the loss after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits in four innings. Snapp pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
The Mavericks and Indians will play game two of the series tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. at Indian Field.
