April 21, 2006
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - A costly sixth-inning error led to two unearned Texas-San Antonio runs to break a tie ballgame and give the Roadrunners a 5-2 victory over UT-Arlington in the first game of the three-game series Friday evening at Clay Gould Ballpark.
Lee Todesco started the inning by hitting a hard ground ball at the shortstop that was bobbled by Kyle Rudy, allowing the runner to reach. With one out, Michael Rockett singled through the left side. After a flyout to left, Brandon Koger dropped a two-run double just in front of the right fielder.
The Mavs (18-23, 11-6) had a chance to answer right back as Robby Winn led off the home-half of the inning with a single up the middle and Brock Wilson followed with a base-on-balls. After a Rudy sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position with one out, UTSA went to the bullpen and Josh Blakely came in to strikeout Kyle Thomason on three pitches and get pinch-hitter Justin Stevens to groundout to short.
UTSA (25-12, 11-5) got on the board with two outs in the first as Michael McKennon hit a changeup on the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a solo shot.
The Runners added a run in the second as Zach Etheredge doubled into the gap in left center and went to third on a wild pitch. Koger drove in the run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
UTA tied the game in the fourth as Ben Burum singled to center and Robby Winn followed with a single to left field. Brock Wilson drove in a run with a double into the gap in right center and Kyle Thomason delivered a two-out RBI single to right center.
The Runners added an insurance run in the seventh as J.R. Voyles drew a one-out walk and came around to score on Todesco's single to left field.
UTA had another opportunity to get back in the game in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out. They failed to score a single run as Collin Garner was called out on strikes and Adam Moore followed with the same to end the game.
Ryan Riddle (3-3) suffered his third straight setback as he allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits in eight innings. He walked four and struck out a career-high nine. Steven Vasquez (4-1) picked up the victory as he allowed two runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out six and walked one. Noah Tritz earned his seventh save pitching a scoreless ninth, striking out three.
The Mavs and Runners will play the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark. UTA will send RHP Dillon Gee (5-5, 4.52 ERA) to the hill and UTSA will counter with RHP Josh Ruffin (5-1, 2.91 ERA).
