Baseball
Andy Sauter turned in a sold performance, but it wasn't enough on Sunday. |
MAVS HURT BY EARLY ERRORS, THREE-RUN FIFTH IN 9-1 LOSS AGAINST SFA
May 11, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - - A couple of early UT Arlington defensive mistakes, a three-run fifth inning and the inability to score against Stephen F. Austin starter Kevin Thomas led to a 9-1 Mavericks loss on Sunday at Jaycees Field in Nacogdoches.
Stephen F. Austin captured the series victory, rebounding from UTA's victory on Saturday in the three-game Southland Conference series.
Already leading 2-1, the Lumberjacks (24-26, 11-15 SLC) sent eight batters to the plate in that fifth inning, collected three of their five hits to that point and took advantage of two walks to lead 5-1. The Mavericks (22-29, 13-14) couldn't answer against Thomas (5-4), who picked up the victory after allowing just four hits in the complete-game victory.
Mavericks right-handed starter Andy Sauter took the loss after one of his best outings in conference play. Sauter (4-3) allowed just six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and allowed four earned runs.
Even with the loss, UTA decides its own fate as it battles for a spot in the SLC Baseball Tournament scheduled May 21-24 in Huntsville. UTA stands 1 ½ games ahead of Stephen F. Austin with three games remaining in the league season. UTA plays host to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the final series, while Stephen F. Austin must travel to Sam Houston State.
UTA took an early lead Sunday, getting a leadoff homer by designated hitter Steffan Guest.
The Lumberjacks answered right back in the bottom of the second when Kevin Croft led the inning with a fly ball that landed for an error to put a runner on second. He move to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch. One inning later, Stephen F. Austin put the lead runner on with a double. He scored on a pop fly that landed safely between second and right field. That put the Lumberjacks up, 2-1.
From there, the Mavericks couldn't generate enough offense to get back into the game. After its three-run fifth, Stephen F. Austin added two more in the seventh to put the game away.
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UTA doesn't have much time to think about the Stephen F. Austin game as the biggest non-conference contest of the season at home looms this week. The Mavericks play host to No. 6 Texas A&M at Clay Gould Ballpark on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
