Baseball
Matt Otteman allowed one run - none earned - through seven innings. |
MAVERICKS OFFENSE COMES ALIVE IN 11-1 VICTORY AGAINST ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK
Feb. 24, 2008
ARLINGTON, Texas - - The UT Arlington baseball team got another impressive pitching performance against Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday afternoon, this one from pitcher-turned-outfielder-turned-pitcher Matt Otteman.
Combine his three-hit, seven-inning gem with the Mavericks offensive breakout, and you get an 11-1 victory at Clay Gould Ballpark in the final game of the UTA-DBU Invitational. The Mavericks (2-2) collected 13 hits, including six for extra bases, and got a home run each from two newcomers to the lineup. Junior-college transfer Andrew Kainer had a three-run homer, and freshman Michael Choice went 4-for-4 with a solo shot. Choice also had three runs scored.
The Mavericks blew the game open with a six-run third inning, giving Otteman plenty of breathing room. Arkansas-Little Rock (0-4) went winless in the tournament, two of those losses coming to UTA. The game was stopped in the bottom of the seventh because of the 10-run rule after a run-scoring hit down the right-field line by Danny Slinkman.
Otteman, who was used mostly in the outfield last season, is returning to the mound after pitching for UTA as a freshman.
"I came here as a pitcher, and then just kind of lost it," Otteman said. "I think moving to the outfield really helped me. I got away from the mound, and my arm seems to be a little stronger. It was nice to get out there and do well. You can't ask for anything more from the offense today."
Five different Maverick hitters had extra-base hits.
In addition to the homers by Choice and Kainer, UTA got doubles by Slinkman and Evan Raley. Ryan Davis doubled twice, drive in two runs and scored.
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With his 4-for-4 day, Choice has started the season 7-for-14 with 10 total bases, a .533 on-base percentage, and .714 slugging percentage and five runs scored. Choice, a freshman from nearby Mansfield Timberview High School, has also been flawless in six chances on defense.
"I always used to come out here and watch UTA baseball, and wondered what it would be like to play," Choice said. "To perform well on this stage now that I'm here feels great. We just have to keep it going."
UTA returns to the field Tuesday with a double-header on the road against Louisiana Tech. The first game begins at 2 p.m.
