April 8, 2011

Final Stats
Photo Gallery

ARLINGTON, Tex. - Brandon Efferson shook off a rough first inning and shut UT Arlington out over his final 6.2 frames, helping Southeastern Louisiana earn a 5-3 comeback win Friday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The Lions took the lead in the eighth when an umpire made a controversial balk call on UTA starter Lance Day. With runners on first and third and two outs, Day faked to third and threw to first. The balk call gave the Lions what proved to be the game-winning run.

Southeastern added to the lead in the ninth on Cody Gougler's RBI single.

Day sailed through the first 5.0 innings before hitting a rough spot in the sixth. He had a chance to get out of the inning with a runner on first and one out, but a throwing error on a soft bouncer eliminated the chance of a double play and put two Lions on with one out.

The only other runs he surrendered came in the eighth on the fateful balk call and after he left following a leadoff walk in the ninth. Day (2-5) lasted 8.0-plus innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out five in taking his fifth loss of the season.

Jeff Harkensee put Southeastern Louisiana (21-10, 8-5) on the board with an RBI double and Josh Cryer tied the game with a two-run single up the middle.

UT Arlington had been in control until the pivotal sixth inning.

Preston Beck gave the Mavericks a first-inning lead when his double to right field played Ryan Walker and an error on the relay in allowed Jesse Payne to score. Brian Nephew followed with an RBI double of his own, giving UTA the 3-0 lead.

After the first, Efferson (5-2) settled. He lasted 7.2 innings, giving up the three first-inning runs on seven total hits with two walks and five strikeouts to earn his fifth win of the year.

Stefan Lopez worked 1.1 perfect innings with two strikeouts to record his sixth save.

Walker led the Mavericks (16-14, 7-6) with two hits.

The two teams play again Saturday at 2 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.