April 29, 2012

Final Stats

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - For the first time in more than a month, UT Arlington came out on the short end of a Southland Conference series.

Stephen F. Austin squeezed past the Mavericks 3-1 Sunday afternoon in a pitchers' duel at Jaycees Field. The Lumberjacks won the last two games of the three-game set after UTA won Friday's opener.

The Mavericks (27-17, 14-10) were going for their fifth consecutive SLC series win. The last conference setback was March 23-25 at Southeastern Louisiana.

Michael Oberto started the finale in a planned "bullpen" game for the Mavericks, but the senior righty made it through five solid innings with a series win hanging in the balance. The sixth was a different story, as the first three Lumberjack batters reach, the last on an error.

Adam Westbrook inherited a bases-loaded, no-out situation in a 1-1 game. Though SFA did score on a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 edge, Westbrook also induced an inning-ending double-play to minimize the damage.

After leaving two runners on base in the second inning, the Mavericks scratched a run across in the third with the bases loaded. Hot-hitting Preston Morrow drove home Philip Incaviglia with an infield single off the pitcher's glove.

The Lumberjacks (18-26, 11-13) tied the game in the fourth, but not without some help from UTA. SFA essentially received an extra out when a pop fly fell between left fielder Morrow and shortstop Ryan Walker. Chris Hernandez took advantage for the Lumberjacks with a two-out RBI single.

The Mavericks get a day off before facing Dallas Baptist home and away on Tuesday and Wednesday.