March 13, 2010
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington lost to Sam Houston State 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark as the Bearkats evened the weekend series after the Mavs won game one on Friday night (9-6).
The Bearkats (4-11, 1-1 SLC) scored three runs from batters who led off innings with base hits and their final run came on a two-out RBI while the Mavericks (5-9, 1-1 SLC) were held to just one run and three hits after the third inning.
UT Arlington starting pitcher Rett Varner (1-2) took the loss throwing a career-high 8.0 innings while allowing four runs off 10 base hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Sam Houston State reliever Matt Shelton picked up the win throwing the final 3.0 innings with five strikeouts. Shelton allowed just one base hit and walked two.
UT Arlington was led by Jordan Vaughn (2-for-5) and Brian Nephew (2-for-4) at the plate. Steffan Guest (1-for-4) improved his hit streak to 15 games with a single through the left side to lead off the sixth inning.
Michael Choice has now reached base safely in 26 consecutive games after receiving an intentional walk - his sixth of the season - in the seventh inning.
Braeden Riley led the Bearkats going 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Riley led off the first and third innings with base hits and later came around to score. Sam Houston State left fielder Jared Wondra led off the seventh inning with his first home run of the season.
The Mavericks tied the score at 1-1 with Chad Comer's second home run of the season. Following the Bearkats run in the third, UTA tied the score again on an RBI ground out by Guest.
Following Wondra's homer in the seventh, UT Arlington answered again as Nick Orr drove in Nephew with a fielder's choice. Nephew led off the inning with a double to right-center field for his third double of the season.
The game-winning RBI came with a single up the middle with two outs in the eighth inning by Bearkats' third baseman Jamie Plumlee, who scored shortstop Ryan Mooney who doubled to start a SHSU rally with two outs.
The rubber game of the series is schedule for Sunday, March 14, with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Clay Gould Ballpark.
