March 15, 2013

Final Stats

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ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington lost the series opener with McNeese State 4-0 at Clay Gould Ballpark on Friday night.

The Cowboys put up a pair of runs in the first and third innings, and held the Mavericks to just four hits. The Mavs had opportunities with nine runners on base, but weren't able to notch a key hit. UT Arlington dropped to 9-8, while McNeese State improved to 9-7.

"I am going to give their pitcher credit," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "He pitched a good game and had great numbers coming into tonight. We're not playing very well at all. The scouting report is catching up to some of those guys and we have to make some adjustments."

For the second consecutive game, UTA had just four hits. Matt Shortall extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the eighth. Justin Copeland, Ryan Walker and Daniel Garcia each added a hit. Maverick starter Brad Vachon went eight innings giving up two earned runs on just five hits.

"I thought Brad kept us in the game," Thomas said. "That is going to go unnoticed. He kept us in the game."

McNeese State got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Following a hit batter and a single, Tyler Drake hit a one-out triple to right-center field to score two.

The Mavericks opened up the second inning looking to answer. Copeland opened up the inning with a single up the middle and then Jake Pinchback walked. However, McNeese State would retire the next three batters to end the threat.

The Cowboys took advantage in the third by adding a pair. Drake sent the first pitch he saw to left field off of the bottom of the wall to score two. However, Drake was called out at first for failing to touch the bag.

Neither team would score for the rest of the game. A double-play would erase a lead-off walk in the bottom of the ninth to clinch the win for the Cowboys.

UTA continues its series with McNeese State on Saturday at 2 p.m. The series concludes at 1 p.m. on Sunday.