April 8, 2005
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - Texas-Arlington senior right-hander Jake Baxter tossed his first complete-game shutout as he struck out as he allowed six hits and struck out 11 as the Mavs defeated Texas State 2-0 in 1:57 minutes Friday evening at Clay Gould Ballpark.
For Baxter, it was his third complete-game in his last four starts and improved his record to 7-1 and lowered his season ERA to 1.73. It was also the first complete-game shutout for UTA since Michael Gardner shutout Nicholls State on April 9, 2004.
Baxter has now improved to 2-0 against TXST this season and has not allowed a run in 13 innings. In the third game of the season, Baxter allowed two hits and fanned eight in five innings as the Mavs won 3-0. In his career, Baxter is 3-0 against the 'Cats and has allowed two earned runs in 22 innings.
The victory improved the Mavs to 18-16 overall and 8-2 in Southland Conference action. The Bobcats dropped to 20-14 overall and 5-5 in conference play. The victory was the fourth straight over the 'Cats and coupled with Lamar's 5-2 loss at Louisiana-Monroe moved the Mavs in sole possession of second place, just one game back of leader Northwestern State (9-1).
UTA scored the only runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Brett Lewis started the inning by being hit by a pitch. After advancing to second on a failed pick-off attempt, Brock Wilson and Kyle Thomason drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Nathan Warrick plated the game-winning run with a single to right center and Josh McSpadden added the insurance run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
TXST did not threaten to score until the ninth inning when Dominic Ramos and Kyle Anson started the inning with two straight singles through the right side. Both runners advanced a base as Lewis' pick-off attempt at second bounced into center field. With the heart of the Bobcat order coming up, Baxter struck out Nolan Mast, but walked Kyle Jones to load the bases. Not rattled, Baxter fanned Luke Cannon and then enticed Elliott Babcock to ground out to second to end the game.
The 'Cats outhit the Mavs 6-3 with Ramos collecting three of those hits.
Scott Moore (4-2) did not back down from the Mavs as his complete-game three hitter was outdone by Baxter.
The Mavs and Bobcats return to action tomorrow afternoon for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
