Feb. 19, 2012
Final Stats: Game 1 / Game 2
Ruston, La. - UT Arlington won its opening series of the season over Louisiana Tech by splitting Sunday's doubleheader at J.C. Love Field. The Mavericks won the first game 8-2 before falling short in the nightcap 8-7.
Collin Reynolds picked up the victory for the Mavericks in the opener. Ryan Walker racked up three hits and Matt Shortall added four RBI, as UTA improved to 2-0.
Shortall continued the torrid pace he set Friday with a three-run dinger in the top of the first. The sophomore transfer went 5-6 in the series opener and spotted UTA to another early lead in the first game with a shot to left that ricocheted off a brick wall beyond the outfield fence.
Third baseman Stuart Hill saved run in bottom of the second by leaping to snag a bouncing ball and then firing a one-hopper to first for the third out. That run proved vital in the third when the Bulldogs got on the board with Alex Williams' two-run homer to right.
Reynolds (1-0) settled down after the bomb, giving up just two hit and no runs over the next three innings while preserving the UTA lead. Reynolds allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings, while striking out six.
The Mavericks added to their advantage with four runs in the sixth. Pinch hitter Jake Pinchback had the big hit, a lined single to right through a drawn-in infield that scored Michael Guerra and Jordan Vaughn.
Adam Boydston relieved Reynolds in the seventh with UTA up 7-2. Boydston nearly allowed a run in the eighth after the Bulldogs loaded the bases with none out.
A sacrifice fly appeared to score Bre'shon Kimbell, but he left early and was doubled up. Tech manager Wade Simoneaux was ejected arguing the call.
In the second game, the Mavericks trailed for the first time in the series after La. Tech scored in the bottom of the first. UTA trailed by as much as 7-1 before rallying in the late innings.
The Mavericks closed the game to 8-7 on Cody Dyvig two-run single in the eighth. UTA had the tying run at third and go-ahead run at second with two outs later in the inning with Preston Beck at the plate. The junior struck out with Tech clinging to a one-run lead.
Shortall led off the ninth with an infield single to keep the Mavericks' hopes of a sweep alive. But he was forced at second on an unsuccessful sacrifice bunt by Guerra, and the Mavs weren't able to get into scoring position.
UTA tied the game in the second at 1-1, but the Bulldogs struck in the third and chased Mavericks starter Kasey Merck. Alex Williams drilled his second homer of the day in the third, a three-run shot through the trees beyond the right field wall for a 4-1 lead.
Merck gave up five earned runs and six hits 2-plus innings.
UTA was down six before making some noise in the fifth. The Mavericks loaded the bases and scratched across three runs, the latter two on Beck's single to right.
The Mavericks and Bulldogs were forced to play two after Saturday's game was washed away. UTA won the opener Friday 17-10.
The season continues for UT Arlington (2-1) on the road with Tuesday's trip to Texas.
