May 26, 2006
Box Score
BEAUMONT, Texas - The pitching duo of Kyle Gainley and Ryan Riddle combined to allow one run on four hits and Danny Slinkman and David McLeod delivered RBIs singles as UT-Arlington advanced to championship Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Texas-San Antonio Friday evening at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
Gainley (5-5) limited the Roadrunners to one run on two hits over five innings as he continued to get fly ball outs with the wind blowing in to get himself out of jams in the first and third, and only allowing one run after loading the bases with one out in the fifth for the heart of the UTSA order.
"It felt really good to finally sit them down real quick," said Gainley. "I always have that fourth or fifth inning where I implode. It happened a little in the fifth, but we got out of it. After that, (Ryan) Riddle came in and shut them down."
Ryan Riddle entered the game in the sixth inning and limited UTSA to pair of hits and allowed one run in scoring position.
He got out of an eighth inning jam after surrendering a leadoff single to the Runners leadoff hitter. After a sac bunt, Riddle got UTSA's top hitters, Michael McKennon and Lee Todesco, to ground out to first and second, respectively. It was the first save of Riddle's career.
UTSA (37-22)got on the board in the fifth inning as Ryan Saltzgaber beat out an infield single deep in the hole at short. After a pair of walks, J.R. Voyles plated a run with a groundout to second.
The Mavs (27-34) respnded with a two-out rally in the sixth as Kyle Rudy singled to center and Brock Wilson walked for the third time in as many at-bats. After a pitching change, pinch hitter Slinkman delivered an RBI single to right center and David McLeod followed with a run-producing single to right field.
"I just wanted to go up and there and see some pitches and see what I could do," said Slinkman. "He threw me some good offspeed pitches that I needed to foul off and battle in there. I just tried to shorten up when I got to 3-2 and put the ball in play somewhere."
McLeod led the Mavs offense with a pair of hits and the game-winning RBI. Wilson ended the game by going 1-1 with his first career triple and three walks.
Mark Ruffin (3-4) took the loss for UTSA as he gave up two runs on one hit in two innings.
The Mavs return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. against tournament host Lamar. The scenario for tomorrow will not be determined until following the Cardinals game against Northwestern State. If LU wins, UTA Will need to beat the Cardinals twice to capture the championship. If NSU wins, UTA will play Lamar in an elimination game with the winner playing the Demons for the tournament championship.
