May 1, 2010
ARLINGTON, Texas - The University of Texas at Arlington baseball career home run record belongs to junior center fielder Michael Choice. Choice, a junior All-American from Arlington, became the most prolific home run hitter in school history Saturday, May 1, after hitting his 32nd career home run in the seventh inning of the Mavs' 9-1 win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which broke the program's all-time record that was previously held by Matt Mize (31, 1998-99).
In three years with the UT Arlington program, Choice has averaged hitting a home run every 17.8 at-bats while playing his home games at a pitchers field, Clay Gould Ballpark. Choice has hit 32 home runs in 12 ballparks, including six in Southland ballparks and three at Big 12 stadiums. Choice has hit 18 home runs on the road and 14 home runs at Clay Gould Ballpark.
He has hit home runs against 21 opponents and against 31 different pitchers, with the only pitcher allowing a pair of home runs to Choice was Central Arkansas' Bobby Pritchett, who served up two long balls to Choice in the Mavericks' 8-6 win over the Bears in Conway, Ark. last season (4/18/09).
He has hit three grand slams, including two during the 2009 season. One of his most hard-hit home runs came on April 21, 2009, during a game that he became the sixth Maverick ever to hit for the cycle. Choice's eighth inning homer, was the base hit he needed for the cycle and those who were in attendance didn't have long to watch the line-drive shot that left Clay Gould Ballpark over the left-field wall.
Choice has three multi-homer games, going deep twice against Central Arkansas (4/18/09), Oral Roberts (4/7/09) and Northwestern State (3/28/10), which all occurred on the road.
Choice has hit the ball out of the ballpark in just about every spot imaginable. Having seen hardly any inside pitches this season, Choice has hit 11 of his 14 home runs to center field or opposite field. Overall, Choice has belted nine homers to right field, eight to left field, six to left-center field, four to center field, four to right center and one down the left-field line.
More impressively, 16 of Choice's home runs have come in clutch situations with seven tie-breaking homers, five game-tying home runs, two home runs that erased a deficit that gave UTA the lead and two home runs that provided the eventual winning runs.
The Mavericks are 19-10 when Choice homers, which includes a 7-6 record this season, a 7-2 record in 2009 and a 5-2 record in 2008.
Choice has launched 13 solo homers, nine two-run blasts, seven three-run home runs and three grand slams. Choice has hit at least one home run in every inning, having hit seven home runs in the first inning, six in the fourth, four in the ninth, three in the third, sixth, seventh and eighth and one in the second, fifth and 10th innings.
Below is a rundown of each of Choice's 32 career home runs:
#1 - February 24, 2008, vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit his first career home run in the fourth game of his collegiate career in the fourth inning against Arkansas-Little Rock. With a 1-0 count, nobody out and the Mavericks leading 7-0, Choice hit a solo home run over the left-field wall against Trojans starting left-handed pitcher Nathan Parker. Choice finished with his first career four-hit game going 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Choice batted in the lead-off spot in the Mavs' order, marking the only home run in Choice's career where he was not batting in the three-hole. Eight times (last was 2/29/08) during his freshman season Choice hit in the lead-off spot... UT Arlington 11, UALR 1
#2 - March 25, 2008, at Oklahoma (L. Dale Mitchell Park - Norman, Okla.)
Choice hit his first home run against a Big 12 opponent at Oklahoma. The home run was Choice's first to the opposite field, blasting a 3-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a two-run homer in the ninth inning with two outs against right-handed reliever Jake McCarter to cut the Sooners' lead to a run (6-5). Choice finished the game 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI... UT Arlington 5, Oklahoma 6
#3 - March 30, 2008, at UTSA (Roadrunner Field - San Antonio, Texas)
Three games later, Choice hit his third career home, which was one of his most unique because it was the first of back-to-back-to-back homers that the Mavs hit in the ninth inning against UTSA in the Mavs' 14-7 victory. With the Mavs leading 7-6, Choice hit a solo home run on a 1-0 pitch against UTSA right-handed reliever J.P. Holton over the right-center field fence with two outs. Senior Danny Slinkman followed with a homer to right field and Otteman completed the three-consecutive homers with a solo shot out to left-center field off reliever Zach Calhoon, who entered after Choice and Slinkman went deep. Choice went 3-for-5 with four RBI and was a double away from hitting for the cycle... UT Arlington 14, UTSA 7
#4 - April 1, 2008, vs. UT-Pan American (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice launched his first career grand slam - hitting his third home run in five games - while capping the Mavs' nine-run, sixth inning against UT-Pan American. He singled to third base earlier in the inning before hitting a 2-1 pitch over the left-field wall with two outs off UTPA right-handed reliever Evan Cunningham. Choice finished the game 3-for-5 with five RBI and a stolen base after starting the day going 2-for-4 with two runs, a triple, two runs scored and an RBI in the first game of the doubleheader against the Broncs... UT Arlington 11, UT-Pan American 1
#5 - April 5, 2008, vs. Sam Houston State (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit his fourth homer in less than two weeks with a solo home run to left field with two outs in the third inning of the middle game against the Bearkats. Choice hit the first pitch that he saw against SHSU lefty starter Will Skelton with two outs and the Mavs trailing 5-1. Choice went 1-for-4 in the game with a walk... UT Arlington 5, Sam Houston State 6
#6 - May 10, 2008, at Stephen F. Austin (Jaycees Field - Nacogdoches, Texas)
Choice jump started the Mavericks with a two-run home run to left-center field in the first inning to break a scoreless tie against Stephen F. Austin. The home run came off a 0-2 pitch against Lumberjack starting right-handed pitcher Erik Gregersen. Choice finished the game going 4-for-5 with four RBI... UT Arlington 13, Stephen F. Austin 5
#7 - May 13, 2008, vs. #7 Texas A&M (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
In front of the third largest home crowd (1,213) in UT Arlington history, Choice broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run home run over the left-field wall in the fourth inning with two outs on the first pitch he saw from Aggies' left-handed reliever Michael Heard. Choice also doubled and hit two singles in the game going 4-for-4 with two runs and five RBI with an intentional walk against the eventual Big 12 regular season champions... UT Arlington 16, #7 Texas A&M 8
K.J. Hendricks on his most memorable home run of Michael Choice's...
"No doubt what jumps out is two years ago Texas A&M came to our pace and they were No. 7 in the nation. Mike was already having an unbelievable freshman year. He was hitting .370 with six home runs and handled himself so well as a freshman. That game he had four hits, and one of them was off a very good arm that he hit the home run off of out to left field. When he hit that home run, I thought to myself, I knew that from the beginning Mike was going to be a great player. As he was rounding the bases it was in slow-motion to me as I knew I was not only in the presence of a great player but something that is so unique and special to this place that we might not see a player like this again here for a really long time."
#8 - February 20, 2009 vs. Arkansas State (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
With the Mavericks trailing 4-0 on Opening Day, Choice hit a three-run homer over the left-field fence with two outs on the first pitch he saw from Red Wolves starter Jett Jones in the fifth inning. Choice's homer helped the Mavs overcome the four-run deficit on their way to the Opening Day win. Choice went 1-for-3 in the game with a walk to start his sophomore season... UT Arlington 5, Arkansas State 4
#9 - February 24, 2009 at #4 Texas (UFCU Disch-Falk Field - Austin, Texas)
Choice's ninth career home run was on a big stage (4,857 attendance) at No. 4 Texas with a solo home run to right field giving UT Arlington a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th inning against the eventual NCAA College World Series runner-up. Choice's homer was on the first pitch he saw with one out facing Longhorns left-handed reliever Austin Wood. With the Mavericks trailing 2-0 earlier in the game, Choice tied the game with a two-run double off the top of the center-field wall off Texas All-American pitcher Chance Ruffin. Choice went 2-for-5 with three RBI... UT Arlington 3, #4 Texas 4 (10 inn.)
#10 - March 29, 2009 at Nicholls (Ray E. Didier Field - Thibodaux, La.)
Choice went 21 games between career home run No. 9 and No. 10 (longest gap during three-year career). He hit a solo home run in the first inning with two outs on a 1-0 pitch off Nicholls' starting right-handed pitcher Tyler Minto. The home run cleared the bank of lights in left-center field to give the Mavs their only run of the game until the seventh inning. Choice, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored in the game, led off the 10th with a triple and scored the game-winning run a batter later on Matt Otteman's sacrifice fly... UT Arlington 6, Nicholls 5 (10 inn.)
#11 & #12 - April 7, 2009 at Oral Roberts (J.L. Johnson Stadium - Tulsa, Okla.)
Choice hit his 11th and 12 career homers - marking his first career multi-homer game - in a midweek game at Oral Roberts. His first homer was a two-run bullet over the left-center field wall on a 2-2 pitch with nobody out in the fourth inning off Golden Eagles right-handed reliever Chandler Griffin. His first homer tied the score at 2-2. With the Mavericks trailing 5-7 in the top of the ninth inning with two outs, Choice battled ORU right-handed relief pitcher T.J. Kelly for eight pitches with a full count before hitting the ninth pitch he saw from Kelly over the left field fence to tie the game at 7-7. The Mavericks lost the game in the bottom of the 10th inning on a two-run, walk-off homer. Choice went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI... UT Arlington 7, Oral Roberts 9 (10 inn.)
#13 & #14 - April 18, 2009 at Central Arkansas (Bear Stadium - Conway, Ark.)
Seven games later, Choice notched his second career multi-homer game hitting his 13th and 14th career home runs, both of which gave the Mavericks the lead at the time. Both homers were hit off Bears right-handed starter Bobby Pritchett, which is the first time in Choice's career he has hit two home runs off one pitcher. His first homer, a two-run shot over the right-center field wall broke a scoreless tie in the first inning on a 0-1 count with two outs. His second homer was a three-run, towering home run over the left-center field fence in the third inning with one out on a 1-0 pitch that gave UTA a 5-4 lead. Choice went 2-for-3 with three runs, a walk and four RBI in the game... UT Arlington 8, Central Arkansas 6
#15 - April 19, 2009 at Central Arkansas (Bear Stadium - Conway, Ark.)
Choice hit his third home run against the Bears - the most for Choice in a conference weekend in 2009 - and his second career grand slam with a two-out blast over the center-field wall in the sixth inning to give the Mavericks a 9-8 lead. His eighth homer of the season came on a 0-1 pitch from Central Arkansas right-handed reliever Logan Ariola. Choice went 1-for-4 with a walk in the game... UT Arlington 11, Central Arkansas 10 (10 inn.)
Michael Choice on his most memorable home run...
"I would probably have to say the grand slam that I hit at Central Arkansas last year because we were down. It seems like most of the home runs I have hit gives us just a little bit bigger lead, but that one we were down three runs (5-8) and that home run gave us the lead. That is one I really remember."
#16 - April 21, 2009 vs. Northwood (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice's 16th career home run might be one of the most memorable because it sealed the sixth ever cycle by a Maverick player as Choice's line-drive in the eighth inning cleared the left-center field wall in a split second. Needing only a homer for the cycle, Choice worked a 3-1 count against Northwood right-handed relief pitcher Garret Randle before hitting a three-run homer to give the Mavs a 14-4 lead. UTA ended up scoring 13 runs in the eighth inning. Choice tripled down the left-field line in the first, walked in the third, doubled to left-center field in the fifth and singled to left field in the sixth before completing the cycle with his ninth homer of the season in the eighth. The home run was also Choice's fourth homer in three games. Choice finished the game going 4-for-4 with three runs and five RBI with a walk... UT Arlington 23, Northwood 7
#17 - May 2, 2009 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice homered in the first inning for the third time during the 2009 season with a solo homer over the right-field wall with two outs and a 1-1 count off Islanders' starting left-handed pitcher Roy Ferdin to give the Mavs a 1-0 lead. Choice also singled through the left side in the second and beat out an infield single to the shortstop in the seventh inning. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI... UT Arlington 10, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4
#18 - May 3, 2009 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit his third career grand slam for his 18th career homer, which ended up giving him a team leading 11 home runs for the 2009 campaign. Choice was one of three Mavs who homered in the Mavericks' nine-run third inning (Chad Comer, Mitch Putman). Choice's grand slam over the left-field fence gave UTA a 5-0 lead in the third inning. He launched his home run with nobody out and with a 1-2 count against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi right-handed starter Trey Hernandez. Choice went 3-for-5 with two runs and five RBI... UT Arlington 14, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4 (7 inn.)
#19 - February 20, 2010 at #40 Dallas Baptist (Patriot Field - Dallas, Texas)
Choice homered in both games of a doubleheader against No. 40 Dallas Baptist on the first weekend of his junior season. He hit a two-run, towering home run over the center field wall in the first inning with one out against Patriot right-handed starter Stuart Pudenz. Choice finished the game going 2-for-2 with two runs, two RBI and three walks, which included intentional walks in the third and seventh innings... UT Arlington 4, #40 Dallas Baptist 9
#20 - February 20, 2010 at #40 Dallas Baptist (Patriot Field - Dallas, Texas)
Choice homered in the second game of the doubleheader with a three-run blast over the center field wall in the eighth inning with one out on an 0-1 pitch from Dallas Baptist right-handed reliever Ryan Behmanesh. It was the first time a Maverick had homered in both games of a doubleheader since 2008. Choice also doubled in the game and was walked going 2-for-4... UT Arlington 6, #40 Dallas Baptist 11
#21 - March 4, 2010 vs. BYU (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
UTA had 20 base hits and one of those was Choice's 21st career home run that sailed over the right-field wall for a three-run home run in the fourth inning with UTA leading 5-1. Choice's homer gave him the most career home runs by any three-year letterman in UT Arlington history, moving past Daniel Ortmeier (2000-02) who hit 20 homers. Choice's home run was part of the Mavs' seven-run fourth inning against the Cougars. Choice hit his home run on a 2-0 pitch with two outs against BYU right-handed relief pitcher Coltin White. Choice went 2-for-4 with three runs, two walks and three RBI... UT Arlington 17, BYU 2
#22 - March 6, 2010 vs. BYU (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit his second home run against the Cougars in the series finale which was a solo home run to right field in the seventh inning with one out on a 1-1 pitch off BYU left-handed reliever Brandon Michon. Choice also hit a double to center field in the third inning. In fact, Choice made his first career appearance on the mound in the game throwing the ninth inning. Choice went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI while also taking the loss in his one-inning appearance... UT Arlington 10, BYU 11
#23 - March 9, 2010 vs. #7 TCU (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit a moon shot out to right field in the first inning for a two-run homer with one out and a 1-1 count against Horned Frog starting right-handed pitcher Greg Holle. It was Choice's 23rd career homer which moved him into sixth place on the UTA all-time career list. Choice finished the game going 1-for-4... UT Arlington 2, #7 TCU 15
#24 - March 17, 2010 vs. Oklahoma Christian (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice hit his sixth home run in less than a month to open his junior season as he went deep over the center-field batters' eye with a three-run homer. Two's were wild as Choice's homer came in the second inning with two outs and had a 2-2 count when he launched his 24th career homer against Eagles right-handed starter Derek James. Choice led the Mavericks' 19-hit attack going 4-for-6 with two runs, a stolen base and three RBI... UT Arlington 17, Oklahoma Christian 9
#25 - March 19, 2010 at UTSA (Roadrunner Field - San Antonio, Texas)
Choice's second visit to Roadrunner Field saw one of his farthest home runs with a solo homer that went off the top of the roof of the building behind the left field fence and then bounced over the roof. Choice's first homer in 2010 Southland Conference season came off UTSA Friday-night left-handed starter Casey Selsor in the sixth inning on a 1-0 pitch with the Mavs trailing 5-1. Choice went 1-for-4 in the game... UT Arlington 2, UTSA 8
#26 - March 23, 2010 vs. Louisiana-Monroe (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Three games later, Choice belted his 26th career homer - eighth of the 2010 season - to help put the finishing touches on the Mavs' victory over ULM. Choice hit a solo home run over the right field fence on a 1-1 pitch from Warhawk relief pitcher Matt Cawthon in the seventh inning with no outs. Choice went 2-for-3 with two runs, two walks and two RBI... UT Arlington 13, Louisiana-Monroe 1
#27 - March 26, 2010 at Northwestern State (Brown-Stroud Field - Natchitoches, La.)
Choice hit three home runs in the Mavs' series at Northwestern State, his first came off Demons' ace Luke Irvine in the fourth inning of a scoreless game. Choice's home run was deep over the right-field wall, going just to the right-hand side of the scoreboard. It was a solo shot that broke a scoreless game on a 3-2 pitch from Irvine, Northwestern State's starting right-handed pitcher who struck out 11 batters in the game. Choice went 2-for-3 with two runs, one walk and one RBI in the game... UT Arlington 3, Northwestern State 1
Michael Choice on his home run hit off of one of the best pitchers he has faced...
"As far as my memory will go is this year when we played Northwestern State I hit one off of Luke Irvine. I feel like he is a good pitcher and to get one off of that guy is tough to do."
#28 & #29 - March 28, 2010 at Northwestern State (Brown-Stroud Field - Natchitoches, La.)
Choice had his third career multi-home run game hitting his 28th and 29th career homers (10th and 11th of the season) while hitting his fourth and fifth homer in a 10-day period (March 19-28). Choice's first homer of the game, a solo shot, was on a 0-2 pitch in the fourth inning with nobody out, which tied the score at 1-1. He hit it out of the ballpark to right-center field off Demons' starting right-handed pitcher Ryan Zimmerman. His second homer of the game was all the insurance runs the Mavs needed. He hit a three-run homer over the right-field wall in the ninth inning with one out on a 0-1 pitch from right-handed relief pitcher Dustin Northcott that gave the Mavs a 10-3 advantage. Choice finished the game going 3-for-4 with three runs, one walk, two home runs and four RBI... UT Arlington 10, Northwestern State 3
Michael Choice on hitting a home run that he didn't think he hit well enough that still went out...
"Definitely the last one I hit at Northwestern State this year. I thought that was going to just be a sacrifice fly and when it hit that sign (behind the fence) I was surprised that went out. That is the one I remember."
#30 - April 13, 2010 at Baylor (Baylor Ballpark - Waco, Texas)
After receiving 15 walks in an eight-game period where he didn't homer, Choice unleashed perhaps the farthest home run in Baylor Ballpark history (since renovation in 1999) when he hit an estimated 450-foot home run over the scoreboard structure in left-center field. The home run is believed to be only the third ever hit over the scoreboard (since 1999), with the previous two being "wind-aided." Choice's two-run homer in the top of the first inning came on a 1-2 pitch with one out from Bears' starting right-handed pitcher Trent Blank. Choice went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, two walks and two RBI... UT Arlington 8, Baylor 18
Michael Choice on hitting a home run at a memorable ballpark...
"Hitting home runs at Baylor and Texas are right up there. Those are both great ballparks to play in. And to hit one at each of those parks is good. Especially the one I hit at Baylor. That is one of the furthest balls I have ever hit.
#31 - April 25, 2010 vs. Central Arkansas (Clay Gould Ballpark - Arlington, Texas)
Choice tied the UTA career home run record with a solo blast that landed across the street down the left-field line at Clay Gould Ballpark that first landed in the middle of a driveway that was estimated at over 430-feet from home plate. Choice hit his 31st career home run - and 13th of the season - in the eighth inning with one out on a 2-0 pitch from Central Arkansas right-handed reliever Evan Cox. Choice went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI... UT Arlington 9, Central Arkansas 6
#32 - May 1, 2010 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Chapman Field - Corpus Christi, Texas)
Choice broke the UT Arlington career home run record in his 150th career game with a towering home run over the scoreboard in right-center field in the seventh inning with no outs on a first-pitch, high and outside fastball from Islanders' right-handed relief pitcher Phillip Garcia. The home run was a two-run homer, his fifth two-run shot of the season - which gave UTA a 7-1 lead. Choice is averaging a home run every 10.5 at-bats this season. Choice went 1-for-2 with two runs, two walks and two RBI... UT Arlington 9, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1
Inside Michael Choice's 32 Career Home Runs
at home - 14
on the road - 18
vs. RHP - 23
vs. LHP - 9
vs. Southland teams - 15
vs. non-conference teams - 17
w/0 outs - 9
w/1 outs - 9
w/2 outs - 14
solo HR - 13
2-run HR - 9
3-run HR - 7
Grand Slams - 3
February - 5
March - 12
April - 10
May - 5
1st Inning - 7
2nd Inning - 1
3rd Inning - 3
4th Inning - 6
5th Inning - 1
6th Inning - 3
7th Inning - 3
8th Inning - 3
9th Inning - 4
10th Inning - 1
0-0 Count - 5
0-1 Count - 4
0-2 Count - 2
1-0 Count - 5
1-1 Count - 4
1-2 Count - 2
2-0 Count - 2
2-1 Count - 1
2-2 Count - 2
3-0 Count - 0
3-1 Count - 2
3-2 Count - 3
Left-Field Line - 1
Left Field - 8
Left-Center Field - 6
Center Field - 4
Right-Center Field - 4
Right Field - 9
Right-Field Line - 0
Lead-off - 1
3-Hole - 31
Starters - 16
Relievers - 16
Darin Thomas on Michael Choice breaking Matt Mize's all-time UTA career record...
"Matt Mize was an outstanding player. He was one of the best players to ever play here. Mike breaking Matt's record says a lot, because Matt was a great player. Mike has been very productive in his three seasons here and his best days of baseball are definitely ahead of him."
"Michael has a lot of tools. He is a five-tool player. He can run, he can throw, he can field, he can hit and he can hit for power. You don't get a chance to coach a lot of five-tool players, but he is definitely one of them."
Darin Thomas on Choice's home runs that standout...
"There isn't an individual home run of Mike's that sticks out in my mind, probably just the ones that he hit with two strikes, the ones where he has a good short approach and the pitcher makes a good pitch and he still hits it out of the yard. That is what has been the most impressive thing about the home runs is he is such a patient hitter. He is not an all-or-nothing hitter, and his batting average proves that."
K.J. Hendricks on Choice's development as a hitter in his UTA career...
"Mike's power is second to none. I continue to see it every day and it is something that never gets dull to me. Every day that I go out there and throw B.P. to him it is just like `wow.' It isn't just something that even I get used to seeing. He is a special, unique talent and I understand that I'm in the midst of greatness at this level. I am fortunate to be around him and have the opportunity to work with him. Michael is even a better person than he is a player, and that is saying a whole bunch."
Rett Varner on Michael Choice breaking the career home run record...
"It is awesome being a teammate of Mike's. Not only is he a great hitter, he is awesome out there in the outfield. It is always comforting to know he is at the plate or that he is out there in the outfield. He can catch anything that is hit or he can change the game in one swing. It is just great having him on my team. I wish I could always have him on my team."
Chad Comer on Michael Choice breaking the UTA all-time career home run record...
"I think a lot of people think it just comes easy for Mike and that he is just really good. He is a very naturally gifted athlete, but Mike has worked his butt off every day since he got here as a freshman. We both started playing here at the same time (2008) and I have been right there next to him as he has worked his tail off every single day. I'm really happy for him to have broke that record."
"It just shows you how good of a hitter he is when instead of chasing bad pitches he takes his game to the next level and waits, and waits, and waits until he gets that good pitch and when he does get it he doesn't miss. And that proves why pitchers are walking him so much because when he does get that pitch to hit he hammers it."
Jason Mitchell on Choice...
"He is just an awesome hitter. It is an amazing thing that he has done this with the way pitchers are pitching to him this season. I'm really happy for him that he has accomplished this despite the way he has been pitched. I mean, he has 50 some walks, that is just ridiculous. And we still have a bunch of games left. I'm really happy for him that he got that record."
"He is definitely one of the top two or three players that I have ever played with, if not the best (Mitchell began collegiate career at Arizona State in 2007). He has the most raw tools and power of any player I have ever seen. Whenever he comes up - if they aren't going to walk him - you know something big will probably happen."
Michael Choice on hitting record-breaking homer...
"When I first hit it I was just in relief to get a hit," Choice said. "I didn't think about the fact it was the one to break the record until once I rounded first base. That is when I realized it. Off the bat it just felt good to make that solid contact."
Michael Choice on hitting more home runs than any other player in UTA history...
"It is pretty fun to think about. When I go home and watch major league games I watch Adam Moore (2006) and Hunter Pence (2003-04) and those guys on TV and to just think that I did something that they didn't, that is pretty cool."
