Feb. 19, 2011
Final Stats
HOUSTON, Tex. - UT Arlington could not produce hits in key moments Saturday, allowing Houston to take Game 2 of the three-game series 9-0 at Cougar Field.
Starting pitcher Lance Day kept the Mavericks close during his start, pitching his way out of jams in each of the first four frames to limit the Cougars to just one earned run. Houston tacked on another run in the fifth on a Codey Morehouse sacrifice fly to left.
As Day worked out of trouble, though, Houston starter Jordan Lewis cruised. He gave up hits in each of the first three innings but never allowed a UTA runner to advance to third. He also induced an inning-ending double play in the second.
The Mavericks' best scoring chance against Lewis came in the fifth when they had two on and two out. Freshman Ryan Walker lined a shot into left where Joel Ansley made a diving catch to end the threat.
Lewis (1-0) lasted 7.0 innings and held UTA to five hits in earning the win.
Day (0-1) went 5.0 innings, holding the Cougars to six hits and a pair of earned runs. He struck out two, walked one and hit a pair of batters in his UT Arlington debut.
Houston padded its lead once Day left, scoring a pair of runs in the sixth and four more in the eighth. Austin Gracey provided the biggest hit when he hit a two-run home run down the left-field line.
UTA (0-2) mounted a threat immediately after Lewis left, loading the bases with one out against Houston reliever Dakota Dill. However, Dill struck out Michael Guerra and got Chad Comer to pop up to third to escape with the shutout intact.
Preston Beck went 1 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 22 games. He also threw out a runner trying to score from second on a hit to right field in the eighth.
Walker added two hits, including a double, for the Mavs.
Landon Appling paced the Cougars offense by going 3 for 3 with a pair of runs scored.
The Mavs return Sunday afternoon to Cougar Field for the last of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
