March 7, 2008

Final Stats

ARLINGTON - - UT Arlington's baseball team opened the 15th Annual Arlington Hilton-UTA Invitational with a record-tying, 26-1 victory Friday against McNeese State at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The 26 runs scored tied the mark set in a 26-13 victory against Oklahoma State in 1993. The victory margin of 25 runs is a new school record, and the 25 hits UTA collected narrowly missed the record of 26 set against Texas in 1996.

Fifteen players had hits for the Mavericks, and eight players had at least two hits. Leadoff hitter and first baseman David McLeod went 3-for-6 with four runs scored and three runs batted in. Second baseman Justin McPherson went 3-for-7 with three runs and two RBI. Andrew Kainer was 2-for-3 with three RBI.

"It's just one of those things," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "There really isn't any explanation for it. We hit the ball well, but there really isn't much you can say about that. Hopefully, we can keep the offense going tomorrow."

UTA (5-7) had a 6-1 lead by the end of the second inning, then tacked on four in the fourth and seven in the fifth. Mavericks starter Nathan Long (3-0) picked up his third victory in as many starts, and three UTA relievers pitched four innings of scoreless relief.

McNeese State (1-9) used seven pitchers. Starter Ryan Frantz (0-3) took the loss after going 32/3 innings. UTA touched him for 10 hits and seven earned runs.

The Mavericks return to the diamond today for a 2 p.m. game against Oral Roberts. After the ORU game, UTA will play a 6 p.m. game against Dallas Baptist.