March 27, 2005
Box Score
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Second baseman Aaron Batlle deposited a 2-2 pitch into the left center field gap to score two runs as Texas-Arlington outlasted Sam Houston State 4-2 in 16 innings to complete the three-game sweep of the Bearkats at Holleman Field. The 16-inning game matches the longest game in Mavericks baseball history, tieing the 16-inning affair against Baylor in 1995.
Brock Wilson started the inning with a single up the middle and Josh McSpadden reached on a fielding error by the third baseman on a sacrifice bunt attempt. After a failed sacrifice bunt and a flyout to right field, Batlle delivered the game-winning hit.
Dillon Gee (2-2) kept the Mavs in the game as he threw five-plus innings allowing just two outs and striking out one. Russell Reichenbach earned his first save by retiring both hitters he faced.
The Bearkats took advantage of a leadoff walk and small ball in the third inning to push a run across. Cameron McGuire started the inning by drawing a base on balls. Adam Perry put down a sacrifice bunt and the attempt to get McGuire at second was late. Jose Salazar put down another sac bunt that put runners on second and third with one out. Ryan Trevino drove in the run with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Grant Varnell turned in another solid outing as he allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in eight innings of work in the no decision.
The Mavs took the lead in the top of the seventh as McSpadden hit a one-out single into left center field. Nathan Warrick followed with a run-producing double into the gap in left center field. Ryan Nelson plated Warrick with a single back through the middle.
SHSU quickly tied the game in the home half of the inning as Aaron Ruchti singled up the middle and came around to score on Salazar's double just inside the bag at first.
Robert Manuel (0-2) was the tough-luck loser as he allowed two unearned runs on five hits in 8.2 innings of relief.
Warrick, Lewis, Batlle, Macha and Wilson each collected two hits for UTA. Warrick and McSpadden each scored a pair of runs. Martin had three hits for the Bearkats.
The Mavs return to action on March 29 when they play host to Texas Tech. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
