April 20, 2007
Box Score
HAMMOND, Louisiana - Southeastern Louisiana scored six runs in the third inning and UT Arlington missed three golden opportunities in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings in dropping a 6-3 decision Friday evening at Alumni Field. The six-run inning marked the 15th time this season that the Mavs have allowed at least four runs in an inning and keeps the Mavs winless on the road this season.
The Lions (24-16, 7-9 SLC) got the offense rolling in the third inning as Bryan Frichter walked and went to third on a hit-and-run. Richard Imhoff would deliver a sacrifice fly to right field before the inning really got interesting.
After a balk and a single put runners on the corners, Dillon Sudduth put down a bunt that was booted by the pitcher to allow a run to score. Xavier Qualls followed with a potential double-play ball that turned into an RBI double as the ball took a bad hop over the shortstop. With the infield in, a grounder to shortstop drew a throw home that was dropped by the catcher to allow another run to score. The final blow was a two-run single up the middle from Page Booker.
UTA (11-27, 2-14 SLC) had a chance to climb back into the game in the sixth as Collin Garner singled to left field, Daniel Rieder reached on an error and Danny Slinkman singled off the glove of the first baseman. David Newby would chop and RBI single over the head of the third baseman to score a run before Ben Burum went down looking, Kyle Rudy swinging and Brock Wilson hitting into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
The Mavs pushed across two more runs in the eighth as Rieder singled to left and scored on Slinkman's triple to right center. A walk to Newby and Rudy loaded the bases with one out and Mitch Putman delivered a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to left.
UTA had yet another chance in the ninth as Garner reached on catcher's interference with one out and Rieder followed with a single to center. That would be the end of the threat as Slinkman went down looking and Rieder was picked off at first.
Josh Black (7-2) earned the victory after giving up three runs on six hits and eight strikeouts in seven-plus innings. Jeffrey Nollen (0-4) took the loss after giving up six runs, three earned, on seven hits in 2.1 innings. Brandon Endsley did a great job in long relief as he pitched 5.2 innings of one-hit baseball.
Chris Province (6) earned the save by picking off Rieder at first to end the game.
The Mavs and Lions will play the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at Alumni Field.
