April 18, 2004

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas - For the second consecutive day, the Lamar Cardinals broke open a 2-2 game in the top of the eighth inning as LU pushed across three runs to defeat Texas-Arlington 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Jordan Foster started the rally with a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a John Allen one-out single to right field chasing UTA starter Jake Baxter from the game. After reliever Blake Pierson's first pitch sailed to the backstop to move to second, Adrian Cantu delivered a run-scoring single to center field. Brett Winn plated two more runs when he smashed the next pitch into the right center field gap to score both Allen and Cantu.

UTA (23-17, 9-6) got one runner on in the eighth and ninth innings, but were not able to advance a runner passed second base against LU closer Jon Hunton.

The Mavs scored their only two runs of the game in the third inning as Kasey Baker singled down the right field and line and stole second before scoring on Ryan Nelson's single to right field. Back-to-back base hits from Darrell Preston and Paul Bruder allowed Nelson to score the second run of the inning.

LU (28-10, 10-5) tied the game up in the fifth inning as three striaght singles by Matt Wilson, Chance Richards and Rocky Craigen loaded the bases with no outs. Jeremy Gray plated the first run with a fielder's choice as the Mavs were unable to turn the double play. Foster tied the game up when he singled through the right side just four pitches later.

Baxter (3-4) took the loss after allowing four earned runs on six hits in 7.1 innings of work. He also struck out seven and walked four. Chris Buechner (3-1) earned the victory by pitching four innings of relief, allowing no runs on four hits. Hunton pitched two scoreless innings to pick up his 10th save of the season.

Baker and Nelson each collected two hits for the Mavs.

UTA returns to action on Tuesday, April 20, as they host Texas A&M at Clay Gould Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.