April 22, 2005
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - McNeese State right fielder Taylor Faul had the game of his life as he went 4-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs as the Cowboys pounded out 17 hits and four home runs in dismantling Texas-Arlington 17-5 Friday evening at Clay Gould Ballpark.
The Cowboys (16-26, 5-11 SLC) struck in the top of the first inning as Bryan Cartie hit the first pitch of the game up the middle for a base hit and then advanced to third on Michael Gardner's failed pickoff attempt. After retiring the next two hitters, Chad Carnahan drew a full-count walk and Chris Fontenot delivered an RBI single to right field.
UTA (21-21, 10-6 SLC) took advantage of some early control problems from MSU starter Jacob Marceaux. Nathan Warrick started the game with a base on balls before stealing second. Josh McSpadden followed with a walk before being erased on a fielder's choice. Ryan Nelson wasted not time in giving the Mavs the lead as he deposited the second pitch he saw over the left field wall for his fourth home run of the season.
MSU wasted no time in regaining the lead as Tyler Stutes started the inning with a home run to right field. With two outs, Cartie fisted a single to center field and Taylor Faul delivered a two-run blast to center field.
The Cowboys added to lead in the fourth as Josh Fontenot hit a solo shot to left center field and Faul added a two-run shot to left center, his second of the game.
MSU broke the game wide open in the seventh inning as they collected six hits and plated seven runs. Michael Thompson delivered the big hit with a three-run double to left field.
The Mavs used their bench to push across two runs in the seventh as pinch hitters Boomer Welles and Cary Nelson hit back-to-back singles. Warrick extended his hit-streak to 13 games with a run-producing single through the right side. After a walk to pinch-hitter Brett Fenner loaded the bases, Cary Nelson scampered home on a passed ball.
Gardner (3-5) suffered his third straight defeat as he allowed seven runs on 10 hits, four home runs, in six innings of work with six strikeouts. Marceaux (3-5) got the win as he allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in eight innings of work with a season-high 10 strikeouts.
The Mavs and Cowboys will play the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
