March 15, 2009
Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2) | Photo Gallery 
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington knocked off UTSA 3-2 in 10 innings during the third game of its Southland Conference series on Sunday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark to win the conference series over the Roadrunners. The Mavericks (7-10, 2-4 SLC) bounced back to win the series after the Roadrunners (10-6, 3-3 SLC) claimed a 3-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.
"I thought we really pitched well," head coach Darin Thomas said. "All three starters did a good job this weekend. Jason Mitchell came out of the bullpen twice, and Matt Otteman came out of the bullpen well today. We also did a good job battling at the plate against a good pitching staff."
Sophomore Rett Varner and junior Jason Mitchell combined to throw 10 innings, allowing six hits and zero earned runs (two runs) against the Roadrunners in the nightcap while forcing UTSA to strand nine base runners.
Varner left the game after throwing seven innings with the score tied, 2-2. Varner issued just three hits and four walks with two strikeouts while earning the no-decision. Mitchell (2-3) pitched the final three innings to post his second win of the season.
With a full count, bases loaded and two outs in the top of the 10th inning, Mitchell's eighth pitch to UTSA catcher Ryan Rummel ended with a pop up to Maverick second baseman Jay Pitschka in the middle of the infield to end the potential scoring threat.
"My fastball outside was working and I was hitting the spot every time," Mitchell said of his battle against Rummel in the 10th inning. "I got some calls and some I didn't, but that was my game plan, he had to beat me with my best pitch."
UT Arlington won the game in the bottom of the 10th inning after senior outfielder Matt Otteman singled up the middle off Roadrunner closer Zach Calhoon to start a rally with two outs. The following batter, Andrew Kainer, singled to right center field to advance Otteman to third base, but Otteman would end up scoring the winning run after UTSA center fielder Michael Rockett dropped the ball in the outfield to allow the winning run to score giving the Mavericks a 3-2 win in 10 innings.
Otteman, who went 1-for-4 in the first game of the doubleheader and 2-for-5 in the second game, improved his hit streak to 17 games, recording at least one hit in every game this season.
Left fielder Preston McCoy (2-for-4) was the only other Maverick with a multi-hit game.
Finishing with a no-decision for UTSA in game two was freshman right-handed pitcher Clay Schrader, who tossed 9.1 innings allowing seven hits, two runs and three walks with four strikeouts while throwing 147 total pitches. Schrader's performance marked the longest outing by any UTSA pitcher since Apr. 3, 2004.
UTSA avoided the series sweep with a 3-2 victory in game one on Sunday. UTSA first baseman Brett Aguilar drove in the game-winning run with a double in the top of the ninth inning with two outs against Maverick reliever Matt Otteman to score third baseman Lance Brown, who reached base with a walk.
Otteman, Kainer, Chad Comer and Ryan Davis were the only UT Arlington players to record a base hit. UT Arlington starting pitcher Nathan Long pitched 7.1 innings, yielding five hits, two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts and two walks in the no-decision.
Calhoon was the winning pitcher in the first game on Sunday, pitching 1.2 innings allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts.
UT Arlington will be back in action on Tuesday, March 17, taking on Minnesota (10-3) at 6:30 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day contest at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. Adding to the St. Patrick's Day environment, the Mavericks will wear green jerseys.
The Mavericks and Golden Gophers will also play on Wednesday, March 18, with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington.
