March 17, 2006
Box Score
MONROE, La. - A costly sixth inning error led to three unearned runs for UT-Arlington as the Mavs broke open a close game and raced to a 10-4 victory over Louisiana-Monroe Friday evening at Indian Field.
With the Mavs ahead 4-2 and two outs, Kyle Rudy hit a towering fly ball to the pitchers mound that was dropped by ULM starter Ben Soignier. That error opened the flood gates in the inning as James Smith followed with an RBI triple down the right field line, Daniel Rieder put an RBI single to center field and David McLeod drove in a run with a double into the gap in left center.
The Mavs also got a solid start from Ryan Riddle (1-0) who picked up his first career victory by allowing four runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings of work.
ULM (3-16, 3-1 SLC) got on the board in the first inning as Soignier, who was also the designated hitter single to right center and Andy Jones followed with a single through the left side. After a double play ball, James Bennett drove in a run with a double down the right field line.
The Indians added a run in the third as Soignier reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Dexter Fontenot drove in the run with a bloop single to center.
UTA (8-14, 4-0 SLC) got the offense rolling in the fifth inning as David Newby started the inning by drawing a walk in a 13-pitch at bat. The ULM starter seemed to tire as he walked Rudy on four pitches and then hit Smith with the first pitch. Rieder drove in a run with a chopper to first base and McLeod hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Adam Moore got into the act with a run-producing single up the middle and the fourth run scored on a fielding error by the shortstop off the bat of Robby Winn.
ULM put a rally together in the seventh as Justin LaBorde drew a pinch-hit walk and went to third on Steve Lawler's double down the left field line. Soignier and Jones plated runs on back-to-back base hits. UTA then went to its bullpen and Brandon Endsley walked both batters he faced to load the bases with two outs. Chris Taylor came out of the pen and struck out the next hitter on three pitches to end the inning.
The Mavs added to the lead in the eighth as Newby ripped single through the right side and went to second on a sac bunt from Rudy. Smith put a single through the left side and went to second on the throw home from left field. Rieder drew a walk to load the bases and Moore drove in his second run with a four-pitch bases-loaded walk.
UTA sealed the game in the ninth as Justin Stevens singled up the middle and Newby followed with a single to the right side, advancing pinch runner Brock Wilson to third. Rudy put down a sacrifice bunt and Wilson was able to beat the throw to the plate. The throw by the pitcher got past the catcher allowing both runners to advance. A wild pitch allowed the second run to score.
Soignier (0-3) took the loss as he allowed five runs, three earned, on four hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out seven, but walked three. Taylor picked up his third save of the season as he allowed one hit and struck out two in 2.1 innings.
The Mavs and Indians will attempt to beat the rain this weekend as they will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
