April 29, 2005
Box Score
THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls State right-hander Mark Fernandez struck out a career-high 11 Mavericks, including six straight, and Texas-Arlington made one crucial error in falling 3-0 to the Colonels on Friday evening at Ray E. Didier Field. The shutout was the second for the Mavs this season and just the second in the last 99 games.
UTA was not without chances as the got the leadoff hitter on in each of the first five innings and six of the nine overall, but were not able to push any runs across. The Mavs had one runner thrown out at the plate and loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth.
In the ninth, Boomer Welles singled to right field, Brett Lewis walked and Aaron Batlle singled through the left side to load the bases with nobody out. UTA's rally would end right there as Colonels reliever Aaron George came in the game and got a weak foul pop to first, a strikeout looking and flyout to right to end the game.
Fernandez cruised through the first eight innings before running into trouble in the ninth. He allowed nine hits and improved his record to 5-7. He struck out the final hitter in the fifth inning, before striking out the side in the sixth and the first two hitters of the seventh.
UTA starter Jake Baxter was not to be outdone by Fernandez as he tossed his fifth complete game of the season allowing three runs, one earned, on eight hits with nine strikeouts. He dropped to 7-4 on the season and lowered his season ERA to 2.08.
NSU (20-24, 6-13 SLC) got on the board in the third inning as Michael Muscato singled through the left side and Josh Clement followed with a single to right field which was misplayed, allowing Clement to race around to third and Muscato to score. With the infield drawn in, Patrick Harris singled up the middle to score the second run.
UTA (22-24, 11-8 SLC) threatened to answer in the fourth inning as Joe Newman single to start the inning. With two outs, Batlle doubled down the left field line, but Newman was gunned down at the plate by a perfect relay throw from shortstop Tim Daigle to end the game.
The Colonels added a run in the seventh inning as Muscato was hit by a pitch to start the inning. After being sacrificed to second, Muscato scored on a Harris single up the middle.
Batlle and Welles each collected two hits for UTA as they had nine in the game. Harris, Bubba Bell and Muscato each collected two hits for the Colonels.
The Mavs and Colonels will play the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.
