May 15, 2004
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - Northwestern State first baseman Bobby Barbier's RBI single up the middle off Texas-Arlington starter Michael Gardner in the top of the seventh inning gave the Demons the lead for good enroute to a 5-2 victory Saturday evening at Clay Gould Ballpark.
Josh Boop started the inning by drawing a base on balls and was sacrificed to second by Rusty Jones. After Brandon Morgan was intentionally walked, Barbier delivered the game winner.
The Demons (28-19, 14-7 SLC) came out of the gates hot as they pushed across two runs before the fans could even get settled into their seats. Boop started the game with a double to straight away center field and scored on Morgan's RBI single to left field. A Hunter Thoms single to right field moved Morgan to third before a wild pitch allowed the second run of the inning to score.
The Mavs (27-24, 10-13 SLC) got a run back in the second inning as after reaching on a fielder's choice, Paul Bruder moved to second on a Danile Lenihan single through the left side. Brett Lewis would drive in the run with a single to left field.
UTA would tie the game up just one ining later as Hunter Pence ripped a two-out single up the middle that nearly took out the pitcher. Pence would move to second on a failed pickoff attempt before scoring on Darrell Preston's single through the right side.
The game would then turn into a pitchers dual over the next four innings as Gardner and Danile Lonsberry matched zeroes on the scoreboard before the Demons would get to Gardner in the eighth.
NWLa. would add insurance in the ninth inning as Blake Jones singled to right field and pinch runner Tigger Lyles went to third on Michael Palermo's single through the left side on a successful hit-and-run. Back-to-back singles would follow from Scott Pittenger and Josh Boop to push the lead to three runs.
The Mavs would make some noise in the ninth as Ryan Nelson started the inning with a pinch hit double to right field. Lewis would then reach on an error, moving Nelson to third with nodoby out. UTA then used pinch hitter Dane Ryan who went down looking on three pitches and Aaron Cook hit into a game ending double play.
Lewis led the offense with three hits, while Preston added two. Boop led the Demons with three hits.
Gardner (10-3) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits in 7.1 innings of work. Lonsberry (3-7) earned the victory after allowing two runs, one earned, on nine hits in 7.1 innings. Mike Breux picked up his third save of the season as he allowed just one hit over 1.2 innings of work.
The Mavs and Demons will close out the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
