March 14, 2010
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington allowed eight runs in the first inning as Sam Houston State cruised to a 12-7 victory on Sunday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark while claiming the first conference series for both teams.
Five Bearkats (5-11, 2-1 SLC) finished with multi-hit games while UT Arlington (5-10, 1-2 SLC) was led by Michael Choice's 3-for-5 performance at the plate.
With two outs and a runner at second base in the first inning, Sam Houston State exploded for eight runs with 11 consecutive batters reaching base safely. Overall, the Bearkats tallied seven hits in the frame with three walks and two hit batters allowed by the Maverick pitching staff.
UT Arlington starter Preston Beck (0-2) lasted only 0.1 inning while giving up all of the Bearkat runs. Paul Spinn (1-2) earned his first win of the season pitching 6.0 innings while giving up five runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts. Bearkat reliver Brent Powers earned his first save of the season pitching the final three innings while allowing two runs on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.
UT Arlington third baseman Brian Nephew drove in two runs going 1-for-4 and catcher Chad Comer knocked in a run and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. In the ninth inning, Maverick pinch hitter Logan Bawcom hit his first career home run with a two-run shot down the right field line that stayed just inside of the foul pole.
Pitching the bulk of the innings for the Mavs was reliever Brian Watson who finishing the game pitching 5.0 innings and giving up four hits and two runs with three strikeouts. Watson was the third Maverick pitcher after both Beck and freshman Sam Hansen pitched during the first inning. Watson pitched the second through sixth innings for UTA.
Choice started the game 0-for-2, but finished with singles to left field (5th inning), center field (7th inning) and right field (9th inning) in his final three at-bats. Choice has now reached base safely in 27 consecutive games dating back to last season. Choice is batting .358 with nine extra-base hits and 15 RBI this season.
Senior designated hitter Steffan Guest had his career-high 15-game hit streak come to a close going 0-for-4 with a walk.
UT Arlington will finish its 10-game homestand next Tuesday and Wednesday hosting Oklahoma Christian for a two-game series at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks and Eagles will square off Tuesday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude the midweek series with a 3 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, March 17.
