May 27, 2004
Box Score
HAMMOND, Louisiana - The bottom two hitters in the in the Northwestern State lineup went a combined 7-for-8 with four runs scored as the Demons silenced Texas-Arlington in an 8-1 victory Thursday evening at Alumni Field.
NWLa. starter Daniel Lonsberry (5-7) earned his second victory of the season against the Mavs as he allowed three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts in eight innings of work.
The Demons (33-21) got on the board with two outs in the second inning as Rusty Jones singled to left field and Scott Pittenger followed with a triple into the right center field gap.
The Rusty Jones/Pittenger combination ignited another rally in the fifth inning as Rusty Jones doubled to right center field and Pittenger put down a bunt that would not roll foul and hit the third base bag. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, Tigger Lyles singled up the middle to score one run and Bobby Barbier delivered the big blow with a two-out three-run home run to right field.
The Mavs (32-25) got a run back in the bottom half of the inning as Ryan Nelson ledoff the inning with his seventh home run of the season to just left of center field.
The Demons stretched their advantage in the sixth inning as Jeff Martin drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Pittenger's one-out single through the right side. Josh Boop followed with an RBI single up the middle and later Brandon Morgan drew a bases loaded base on balls.
NWLa. added another run in the eighth inning on a Josh Boop sacrifice fly following back-to-back singles from Rusty Jones and Pittenger.
UTA got a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth as Darrell Preston hits his 16th double of the season to left center field and scored on Nelson's long ball to left field.
Nelson, Daniel Lenihan and Brett Lewis each had two hits for the Mavs. The top three hitters in UTA's lineup went a combined 0-11. NWLa. was led by Pittenger's four hits and Rusty Jones' three.
Grant Varnell (4-5) took the loss as he allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings of work.
The Mavericks return to action tomorrow afternoon as they play an elimination game against Louisiana-Monroe. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Alumni Field.
