April 22, 2011
Game 2 Final Stats | Game 1 Final Stats
CONWAY, Ark. - UT Arlington split its Friday doubleheader with Central Arkansas at Bear Stadium, winning Game 1, 18-14, and falling in Game 2, 9-1.
UT Arlington won a wild contest in Game 1. The Mavericks set season highs in runs and hits, but needed a huge ninth inning after squandering a 10-run lead and trailing by two runs entering the frame.
After Central Arkansas claimed the lead with a five-run eighth, Ryan Walker tied the game with a two-run double in the ninth off of UCA closer Evan Cox. After two walks, Brian Nephew broke the tie with a two-run single.
Jesse Payne added a two-run double for some much-needed insurance and Michael Morales worked a perfect ninth to clinch the win.
Preston Beck went 3-for-5 with five RBI and finished a triple shy of the cycle. Beck became the first UTA player this season to drive in five runs in one game.
The Mavericks (22-18, 12-9) connected for four extra-base hits in the third, including Beck's two-run double and Nephew's two-run home run to left-center field.
Payne tripled in the frame and later scored on a Chad Comer groundout. Jordan Vaughn followed with a double down the left-field line. Daniel Jordan closed the third-inning scoring with an RBI single to left.
The Mavs added five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Beck's three-run home run.
Michael Pair's two-run double down the left-field line drove home the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth and Evan Cox threw a scoreless inning to secure the Bears' win.
The Mavs led 12-2 after five innings, but the Bears bounced back for seven runs in the sixth and five in the eighth.
Ethan Harris delivered the big blow in the seventh with a grand slam to make the score 12-9.
Adam Boydston (2-2) earned the win in relief.
Payne finished with three hits and Nephew had four RBI. Five Mavs - Walker, Nick Orr, Nephew, Comer and Philip Incaviglia - recorded two hits apiece.
Game 2 started ugly for the Mavericks and did not get any better.
Central Arkansas (19-19, 9-11) scored four runs in the first inning and never trailed.
Travis Snider led the Bears offensively, going 2-for-3 with five RBI. His big knock came in the third inning when he tanked a three-run home run.
Dustin Ward threw 8.0 innings, holding the Mavs to one run on six hits. The southpaw walked five and struck out two in earning his sixth win of the season.
Jordan drove in UTA's lone run with an RBI single in the second.
The Mavericks and Bears close out their three-game series Saturday when they return to Bear Stadium for a 1 p.m. game.
