Feb. 11, 2006
Box Score
RUSTON, La. - Despite windy, cold conditions at J.C. Love Field, Texas-Arlington kicked off the 2006 season in grand fashion as the Mavs belted three home runs and won their season-opener for the second straight season as they defeated Louisiana Tech 7-2 Saturday afternoon.
"Offensively we did a pretty good job," said fifth-year head coach Jeff Curtis. "We hit some balls hard that were right at some people and it was just good to get outside and play against somebody other than ourselves."
The season got off to a good start for the Mavs as Collin Garner drew a four-pitch walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. David McLeod advanced the runner to third with a high chopper back to the mound before Adam Moore drove in the run with a groundout to the shortstop behind the bag at second.
The Bulldogs (1-3) got the run back in the third inning as Adam Cobb drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a bloop single to center off the bat of Amos Ramon. Following a flyout to left field, Ben Tabor loaded the bases with a base on balls. The run scored when Dillon Gee was called for a balk. Gee and the Mavs got out of the inning as he got the next hitter to foul out to third.
UTA (1-0) answered back with the long ball as with one out, Moore got a 3-2 fastball right down the middle and did not miss as he hit a no doubter over the left center field wall for a solo shot. With two outs, Daniel Rieder reached on a fielding error by the shortstop and Justin Stevens made La. Tech play as he hit his first career home run over the right center field wall to put the Mavs ahead 4-1.
Base running blunders in the top of the sixth inning stopped the Mavs from opening the game up. Daniel Rieder started the inning with a solid single to center field and Stevens followed with a bloop single to right field. Brock Wilson had the third straight hit of the inning through the left side, but after associate head coach Darin Thomas held Rieder up at third, Stevens continued to run to third forcing Rieder to try and score and get retired. With runners on the corners and still just one out, Stevens was picked off at third and the final batter struck out to end the inning and the threat.
La. Tech pushed a run across in the home half of the sixth as Mims Boyce drew a one-out walk and advanced to second as Brady Bascle beat out an infield single to third. Joey McCarthy drove in Mims with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. As McCarthy broke for second drawing a throw, Bascle broke for home, but was out as Kyle Rudy threw a strike to Stevens who applied the tag.
UTA broke the game open in the ninth inning as Kyle Thomason singled to center field and McLeod delivered a one-out single to right field. After being intentionally walked two straight times, Moore delivered his second home run in no doubt fashion down the left field line for a three-run shot.
Moore, Wilson, Stevens and McLeod each collected two hits. Moore drove in five, while Stevens drove in the other two. Garner did not have a hit, but he drew three walks and stole a base.
"Adam (Moore) obviously made a big statement today," said Curtis. "He proved he is going to be a threat offensively and hopefully he can keep it up throughout the year."
Gee (1-0) earned the victory as he allowed one run on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out two, but walked four. Chris Taylor came on in relief and earned the save as he pitched the final four innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out seven. Nathan Bounds (0-1) took the loss as he allowed four runs, two earned, on three hits and four walks in five innings of work.
"Dillon came in and did a good job, but he is capable of doing a lot better," said Curtis. "The big surprise was Chris (Taylor) on the mound with seven strikeouts in four innings. He did a great job throwing strikes, especially with his breaking ball."
The Mavs and Bulldogs will close out the three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at J.C. Love Field. Live stats will be available for both games on the official athletics website www.utamavs.com.
