March 6, 2009
Sam Houston State Game Notes 
ARLINGTON, Texas -
FIRST PITCH
UT Arlington opens conference play this weekend traveling to Huntsville, Texas, for a three-game series against Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are the two-time defending SLC Tournament champions, and are off to a strong start with a 7-4 overall record, which includes recently knocking off eighth-ranked Rice, 8-6, on Tuesday night in Huntsville.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Mavericks and Bearkats have faced each other 85 times, with Sam Houston State holding a 44-41 advantage since the series began in 1971. The last 10 meetings have been split, 5-5. The Mavs won last season's series in Arlington, 2-1, and the Bearkats swept UTA in Huntsville in 2007. SHSU leads the series 22-16 in Huntsville.
First Pitch: Friday: 6:30 p.m., Saturday: 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 1:00 p.m.
Series History: Sam Houston State leads, 44-41
Last Meeting: UTA defeated SHSU, 6-5 in Arlington (2008)
Stadium: Don Sanders Stadium (Capacity: 1,463)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Stats: (GameTracker): www.utamavs.com
UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS
Overall Record: 5-5
Conference Record: 0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/5-5
Streak: Won 1
Rankings: BA: NR/CB: NR/NCBWA: NR/ESPN: NR
Website: www.utamavs.com
Head Coach: Darin Thomas
Career Record: 31-36 (2nd Year)
Record at UTA: 31-36 (2nd Year)
SAM HOUSTON STATE BEARKATS
Overall Record: 7-4
Conference Record: 0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/6-4
Streak: Lost 1
Rankings: BA: NR/CB: NR/NCBWA: NR/ESPN: NR
Website: www.gobearkats.com
Head Coach: Mark Johnson
Career Record: 960-486 (25 Years)
Record at SHSU: 84-53 (3 Years)
MAVERICKS TAKE ON BEARKATS TO OPEN SLC PLAY
- UT Arlington hits the road for its conference opening weekend with a three-game series at Sam Houston State, March 6-8. The Bearkats and Mavericks are the last two teams to win a Southland Conference Tournament championship, with Sam Houston State the two-time defending champion and with UTA capturing the title in 2006.
UT ARLINGTON IN SLC OPENING WEEKEND SERIES
- UT Arlington has won five of its last 10 conference opening weekend series. The Mavs have lost their past two in a row, dropping two of three last season at home against Lamar and falling in all three contests at Lamar in 2007. UT Arlington and Sam Houston have opened conference play against each other once during the past 10 years, with a meeting in Arlington in 2002. Mavericks lost the series opener and then won games two and three to win the series.
Here is a look at how the Mavericks have done in the series opener, the middle game and the series finale during the opening weekend of conference play the past 10 years. Overall, UTA is 15-15 during the first weekend since 1999.
Game 1: 4-6
Game 2: 5-5
Game 3: 6-4
MAVS VS. BEARKATS: USUALLY A NAIL BITTER
- UT Arlingon and Sam Houston State have had eight of their past 14 games decided by two runs or less. The Mavs and Bearkats have split the eight games winning four each. Last season, the Mavericks won the series finale 6-5 the day after Sam Houston State won 6-5.
GAME TIME CHANGED FOR SATURDAY AT SHSU
- Game time for the Mavericks' Saturday conference game against Sam Houston State University in Huntsville has been changed to a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Bearkats men's basketball team is also at home on Saturday and the conflict has forced Sam Houston State to move the baseball start time to 5 p.m.
MAVS END SKID WITH 7-1 WIN
- After dropping their final game in Edinburg last weekend and an 11-3 defeat against No. 11 TCU on Tuesday, the Mavericks got back in the win column with a 7-1 victory over NAIA Iowa Wesleyan on Thursday evening. The Mavericks offense produced 14 base hits - which ties their second most hits on the season - while three UTA pitchers combined to strikeout six batters and not allow an earned run in the nine-inning game.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT AN ADVANTAGE
- Playing at Clay Gould Ballpark has been an obvious home-field advantage for UT Arlington as their hitters have recorded a .349 batting average at home. Four hitters (Michael Choice, Matt Otteman, Andrew Kainer, Preston McCoy) are batting over .400 and 19 of their 76 hits have been for extra bases. By contrast, the Mavericks are batting .213 as a team away from Clay Gould Ballpark in four games.
OTTEMAN'S STREAK CLIMBS TO DOUBLE DIGITS
- Senior Matt Otteman improved his hit streak to 10 games on Thursday with a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI against Iowa Wesleyan. Otteman recorded a bunt single in the second inning, a single through the left side in the third inning and a triple to center field in the fifth inning. Otteman is now leading the Mavericks batting. 450, and is tied for the team lead with 18 base hits (Michael Choice). Otteman has now tallied seven multi-hit games this season.
THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL R-E-L-I-E-F
- The UT Arlington bullpen provided four innings without allowing an earned run on Thursday against Iowa Wesleyan. Sophomore Adam Boydston, who is one of six Maverick relievers with a 0.00 ERA while pitching in relief, threw 2.2 innings allowing two base hits and struck out two. Senior Ryan Martin, who led the SLC during conference play in ERA last season - 2.78) finished the game throwing 1.1 innings, striking out two and not allowing a hit. Overall, the Mavericks' bullpen has tallied a 3.90 ERA in 32.1 innings while allowing 24 hits with 27 strikeouts and 16 walks.
EITHER WAY YOU BRING IT
- Senior Matt Otteman is batting a team best .464 (13-for-28) against right-handed pitching this season. The Mavs' win over Iowa Wesleyan was just their second against a right-handed starter this season. Otteman has also had success batting against left-handed pitching with a .417 average against south paws.
IN THE "WRIGHT" SPOT AT THE "WRIGHT" TIME
- Redshirt freshman outfielder Eric Wright has appeared in four games this season, in three of his games played he has entered as a pinch hitter. Wright recorded his second pinch-hit base hit of the season with a single to left field on Thursday against Iowa Wesleyan. Wright is batting .667 (2-for-3) this season, with all at-bats coming in a pinch-hitting role.
THE STORY IS IN THE HITS COLUMN
- The Mavericks are 4-0 at home when out-hitting their opponent this season. In the Mavericks' first loss at home, UTA and Texas State each collected 12 base hits, and on Tuesday, the Mavericks recorded nine hits while TCU collected 11 hits. In six home games, the Mavericks are out-hitting their opponents 76-44. In addition, the Mavericks are 4-0 this season when they reach the scoreboard first.
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
- Despite a game that featured eight runs, 21 base hits and five errors, UT Arlington and Iowa Wesleyan played its game in 2 hours, 1 minute on Thursday evening. It was the quickest game for the Mavericks this season, topping the Mavs' 12-1 victory over Siena on Feb. 23, that lasted only 2 hours, 10 minutes. Part of the reason the game moved quickly was due to the fact that five pitchers combined for just one walk (Iowa Wesleyan's Edgar Hernandez walked Preston McCoy in the 8th).
SETTING THE TABLE
- TCU had its first five batters reach base and score in the first inning against UT Arlington on Tuesday night. After all nine TCU batters came to the plate in the first inning, lead-off hitter Ben Carruthers hit a double to lead-off the second inning and later scored to give TCU a 6-0 lead they would never relinquish. The Mavericks have now been outscored 10-3 in the first inning by their opponents this season.
CHOICE PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
- Sophomore Michael Choice went 4-for-5 on Tuesday against TCU, marking his second straight home game with four base hits. Choice also went 4-for-5 against Siena in the final game of the UTA/Hilton Invitational (2/23). Choice is now batting .591 (13-for-22) at home with nine of the Mavericks 36 RBI in five home games.
CHOICE VS. NATIONALLY-RANKED OPPONENTS
- Michael Choice's 4-for-5 performance against No. 11 TCU improved his average to .600 against nationally-ranked opponents this season. Choice went 2-for-5 against No. 4 Texas earlier this season with three RBI, a game-tying double and go-ahead solo home run.
CHOICE DELIVERS WITH RUNNERS ON BASE
- Michael Choice is leading the Southland Conference with 14 RBI, and part of the reason why is because of a .529 batting average with runners in scoring position. Choice is 9-for-17 with runners at second and third base. Choice is also hitting a productive .333 (6-for-18) with the bases empty.
LONG GIVES MAVERICKS A FAMILIAR LIFT
- Senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Long led the Mavs to their only victory at the Al Ogletree Classic with a nine-inning complete-game shutout over host-UT Pan American. Long's outing included seven strikeouts while allowing two walks and scattering seven base hits. It was Long's second career complete-game shutout after tossing an Opening Day 1-0 shutout over Arkansas-Little Rock in 2008.
5TH INNING IS WHEN IT COUNTS
- The fifth inning has been when the Mavericks have secured their victories and also when they have continued to trail their opponents. In 10 games this season, UT Arlington is 5-0 when leading after five innings and 0-5 when trailing after the fifth inning.
IN THE CLUTCH
- Through 10 games, UT Arlington has 56 RBI - with 31 RBI coming with two outs. The Mavericks continued hitting in the clutch with four two-out RBI against Iowa Wesleyan on Thursday night. Choice leads UT Arlington with nine two-out RBI. Overall, the Mavericks are batting .311 (37-for-119) with two outs.
REVERSING THE TREND
- As strong as the Maverick hitters have been hitting with two outs, the Maverick pitchers have been equally strong pitching with two outs. In 106 at-bats, Maverick pitchers are allowing opponents to bat just .208 (22-for-106) with two outs.
BRING IN THE LEFTY!
- UT Arlington is currently 3-0 against left-handed starting pitchers and batting .365 against lefties this season. Six UT Arlington batters are hitting above .400 against south paws, led by Michael Choice who is 8-for-12 (.667) against left-handers this season.
SLOW STARTERS, FAST FINISHERS
- In their five losses this season, the Mavericks have scored only six runs in the first six innings. But they have made comebacks in each loss scoring a combined 14 runs in the seventh, eighth, ninth and extra innings.
MULTIPLE ROLES GIVES SAUTER THE TEAM LEAD
- Andy Sauter continues to pitch in multiple roles for the Mavericks, with two relief appearances and one start. His 1.50 ERA leads the Mavs for pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched and his 13 strikeouts is also a team best. Most recently, Sauter pitched three scoreless innings in relief against Illinois on Sunday.
JUST ABOUT MADE IT 22
- UT Arlington was one out away from recording its 22nd victory over a top 10-nationally ranked opponent when it fell 4-3 against Texas on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Out of the Mavs 21 victories against top 10 teams, eight have come against the Longhorns. (see page 7 for a detailed listing of all victories over top 10 opponents).
CHOICE NAMED SLC HITTER OF THE WEEK
- Mavericks center fielder Michael Choice was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week after the first week of the season on Feb. 24. Choice started the season batting .529 (9-for-17) with a double, triple, home run and nine RBI to help the Mavs go 3-1. Choice went 1-for-3 on Opening Day with a three-run home run that helped the Mavs rally to a 5-4 victory over Arkansas State. In the final game of the week, Choice led all players going 4-for-5 with four RBI against Siena.
CHOICE TURNS IT ON AGAINST BIG 12 OPPONENTS
- After a 2-for-5 performance with a double, home run and three RBI against No. 4 Texas, sophomore Michael Choice is now batting .451 (14-for-31) with four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI against Big 12 opponents in seven games during his brief career.
UTA TAKES SECOND PLACE AT UTA/HILTON INVITE
- The Mavericks opened their 2009 season going 3-1 at the 16th Annual UTA/Hilton Invitational at Clay Gould Ballpark. UT Arlington defeated Arkansas State and Siena twice. UTA is now 27-21 all-time in the tournament while winning or sharing tournament titles in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2006.
MAVERICKS PICKED 6TH IN THE SLC
- Southland Conference head coaches and sports information directors have picked the UT Arlington Mavericks to finish in sixth place in the Southland Conference in 2009.
CHOICE NAMED TO SLC PRESEASON LISTS
- Sophomore center fielder Michael Choice has been named a Southland Conference preseason first team All-Conference selection by league head coaches and SIDs. Choice was one of 12 first team selections that the Southland Conference announced when releasing its preseason first and second team lists. Choice was the only sophomore named to the first team. Choice was then named to the Baseball America and Rivals.com preseason All-Conference team, as both publications previewed the Southland Conference.
FIVE OPPONENTS RECEIVE TOP 25 STATUS
- Five of UT Arlington's opponents, all from the Big 12 South, have been ranked in a preseason Top 25 or Top 30 poll as Texas A&M, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State all made an appearance in a preseason poll. UT Arlington's 2009 schedule includes 10 games against teams that appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament.
CHOICE NAMED TO WALLACE WATCH LIST
- After being named to five Freshman All-American lists in 2008, sophomore center fielder Michael Choice was named to the 2009 Preseason Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List. The Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player.
THOMAS SEARCHING FOR WIN NO. 50
- After becoming the sixth head coach in Mavericks history prior to the start of the 2008 season, Darin Thomas followed with a 26-win season in his first campaign. Thomas will try to become the third head coach in UT Arlington history to collect win No. 50 in his second season at the helm. In fact, Thomas' 26 wins rank second all-time in school history for most wins in a first season as head coach. The following is a list of UT Arlington head coaches and how long it took for them to reach win No. 50 and their overall record when reaching the milestone.
Head Coach Games Record at 50 wins
Jeff Curtis 94 50-44 (2nd season)
Clay Gould 94 50-44 (2nd season)
Fred Matthews 96 50-46 (3rd season)
Butch McBroom 107 50-57 (3rd season)
* Tom Beasley (16-34 record in two season as head coach)
TWENTY-ONE SENIORS BACK FOR 2009
- The UT Arlington baseball program not only returns 27 lettermen, they also have 21 seniors on their 2009 roster. The Mavericks have five players that are three-year lettermen and 22 players that joined the program last season. Of all the Mavericks opponents in 2009, only McNeese State has more than 23 returning lettermen, and just five opponents have at least 20 returning players.
MAVERICKS 19-22 ON OPENING DAY
- UT Arlington is 19-22 on Opening Day, including 10-8 in season-openers at home. Two of the Mavs season-openers (1979 & 2005) were on a neutral field. Last season the Mavericks posted the program's first shutout victory on opening day - also giving Darin Thomas a victory in his head coaching debut. The Mavericks 1-0 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock in 2008 marked the fastest opening day game (1 hour, 52 minutes) in UT Arlington history. Since 2000, the Mavericks have won eight of their last 11 season openers at home, including three of the last four. The most consecutive season-openers the Mavericks have won is three (1981-83), while winning five of six openers from 1978-1983.
MAVERICKS 27-14 IN HOME OPENERS
- The Mavericks are now 27-14 all-time in home openers. Since 2000, the Mavs are 7-3 in home openers, with three straight date back to 2007. Last season's 1-0 shutout over Arkansas-Little Rock marked the Mavericks fourth home-opener shutout, with the other most recent shutout coming in 2004 against TCU (11-0).
SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
- Doubling the Mavs win total in his first season as head coach was not the only accomplishment Darin Thomas provided the UT Arlington baseball program in his first season. Thomas helped guide the Mavericks to two semesters of a team cumulative grade point average over a 3.0. A total of 20 baseball student-athletes received recognition on the UT Arlington Athletic Director's Honor Roll and 18 were named to the Capital One/Southland Conference Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. The start of the 2008-09 school year was equally successful as 22 baseball student-athletes were named to the UT Arlington Academic Honor Roll and the Mavericks as a team registered a 3.183 team grade point average.
VICTORIES OVER TOP 10 OPPONENTS
- UT Arlington has posted 21 victories over teams that have been ranked in the top 10 in the nation at the time of the contest. The Mavs added to their total with a 16-8 victory over then-No. 7 Texas A&M in 2008 at Clay Gould Ballpark (May 13).
05/13/08 vs. #7 Texas A&M 16-8
04/11/06 @ #6 Texas 6-3
03/08/05 @ #9 Texas A&M 6-4
02/15/05 @ #8 Baylor 9-6
01/26/01 @ #6 Arizona State 5-3
02/19/94 vs. #6 Oklahoma State 6-4
04/06/93 vs. #2 Texas A&M 8-6
03/10/93 vs. #8 Oklahoma State 26-13
03/28/92 @ #5 Texas 5-4
02/21/89 @ #7 Texas 2-0
03/05/88 vs. #10 Oklahoma 5-4
03/06/88 vs. #10 Oklahoma 11-10
02/16/85 @ #3 Texas 14-13
02/17/85 @ #3 Texas 7-1
02/19/83 @ #1 Texas 10-6
02/20/83 @ #1 Texas 8-5
03/20/81 @ #5 Texas 6-1
02/27/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 6-4
02/27/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 5-3
02/28/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 9-1
02/20/76 @ #10 TCU 3-0
UTA SIGNS EIGHT PROSPECTS FOR 2010
- Head coach Darin Thomas announced that eight student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent and will play baseball for the Mavericks beginning in the 2010 season. The signing class includes five high school prospects and three junior-college student-athletes.
