March 5, 2009

Iowa Wesleyan Game Notes

ARLINGTON, Texas -
FIRST PITCH
UT Arlington enters Thursday's game having lost four of its last five games. Following Thursday's game, the Mavericks will travel to Sam Houston State for their first conference three-game series in Huntsville. The Mavericks will try and bounce back after dropping an 11-3 decision to No. 11 TCU on Tuesday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Thursday will mark the first ever meeting between UT Arlington and Iowa Wesleyan.

First Pitch: Thursday: 5:00 p.m.
Series History: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A

Stadium: Clay Gould Ballpark (Capacity: 1,600)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 RF)
Live Stats: (GameTracker): www.utamavs.com

UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS
Overall Record: 4-5
Conference Record: 0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 1-4/4-5
Streak: Lost 2
Rankings: BA: NR/CB: NR/NCBWA: NR/ESPN: NR
Website: www.utamavs.com
Head Coach: Darin Thomas
Career Record: 30-36 (2nd Year)
Record at UTA: 30-36 (2nd Year)

IOWA WESLEYAN TIGERS
Overall Record: 9-6
Conference Record: 0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 4-1/7-3
Streak: Won 3
NAIA Rankings: NR
Website: www.iwc.edu/athletics
Head Coach: Brett Monaghan
Career Record: 60-52 (3 Years)
Record at IWU: 60-52 (3 Years)

MAVS RETURN TO FRIENDLY CONFINES
- The Mavericks host Iowa Wesleyan on Thursday, marking UT Arlington's sixth home game of the season. UT Arlington is 3-2 playing at Clay Gould Ballpark this season.

SUCCESS OVER NON-NCAA DIVISION I OPPONENTS
- UT Arlington has a 309-128 all-time record against non-NCAA Division I opponents. Overall, the Mavericks have played against 52 different non-Division I teams. Two of the Mavericks most frequent non-Division I opponents are Texas Wesleyan and the University of Dallas. UTA is 44-30 against Texas Wesleyan and 25-1 against Dallas. Iowa Wesleyan is the only non-NCAA Division I opponent the Mavericks will face this season.

CLEMENTZ GOES FOR SECOND WIN OF THE YEAR
- Senior right-handed pitcher Drew Clementz takes the mound for his second start of the season on Thursday against Iowa Wesleyan. In his season debut, Clementz pitched seven innings allowing four hits, one run (no earned runs) with one strikeout. Clementz held Siena hitters to a .143 (1-for-7) average with two outs and started two groundball double plays.

GAME TIME CHANGED FOR SATURDAY AT SHSU
- Game time for the Mavericks' Saturday conference game against Sam Houston State University in Huntsville has been changed to a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Bearkats men's basketball team is also at home on Saturday and the conflict has forced Sam Houston State to move the baseball start time to 5 p.m.

SETTING THE TABLE
- TCU had its first five batters reach base and score in the first inning against UT Arlington on Tuesday night. After all nine TCU batters came to the plate in the first inning, lead-off hitter Ben Carruthers hit a double to lead-off the second inning and later scored to give TCU a 6-0 lead they would never relinquish. The Mavericks have now been outscored 10-3 in the first inning by their opponents this season.

OTTEMAN'S STREAK CONTINUES
- Senior Matt Otteman improved his hit streak to nine games with a one-out single to center field in the top of the seventh inning against TCU. Otteman's run-scoring single drove in the Mavericks' third run of the game. Otteman's streak, which began on Opening Day, includes six multi-hit games with 15 base hits in 36 at-bats. He is also among team leaders with a .667 slugging percentage and .450 on-base percentage.

CHOICE PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
- Sophomore Michael Choice went 4-for-5 on Tuesday against TCU, marking his second straight home game with four base hits. Choice also went 4-for-5 against Siena in the final game of the UTA/Hilton Invitational (2/23). Choice is now batting .591 (13-for-22) at home with nine of the Mavericks 36 RBI in five home games.

CHOICE VS. NATIONALLY-RANKED OPPONENTS
- Michael Choice's 4-for-5 performance against No. 11 TCU improved his average to .600 against nationally-ranked opponents this season. Choice went 2-for-5 against No. 4 Texas earlier this season with three RBI, a game-tying double and go-ahead solo home run.

THE STORY IS IN THE HITS COLUMN
- The Mavericks are 3-0 at home when out-hitting their opponent this season. In the Mavericks' first loss at home, UTA and Texas State each collected 12 base hits, and on Tuesday, the Mavericks recorded nine hits while TCU collected 11 hits. In five home games, the Mavericks are out-hitting their opponents 62-37. In addition, the Mavericks are 3-0 this season when they reach the scoreboard first.

CHOICE DELIVERS WITH RUNNERS ON BASE
- Michael Choice is leading the Southland Conference with 14 RBI, and part of the reason why is because of a .643 batting average with runners in scoring position. Choice is 9-for-14 with runners at second and third base. Choice is also hitting a productive .353 (6-for-17) with the bases empty.

BOYDSTON CONTINUES TO AVOID BARRELS
- UT Arlington sophomore reliever Adam Boydston made his third appearance of the season against TCU on Tuesday, and he left the same as he entered, untouched. Boydston has pitched 2.1 innings this season without allowing a base hit or run. He has three strikeouts and has issued only one walk. His relief appearances have come against Texas State (0.1 inning), Stephen F. Austin (1.0 inning) and TCU (1.0 inning).

TRIO COMBINES FOR SUCCESS IN THE UTA BULLPEN
- Adam Boydston, senior Matt Dunn and senior Brandon Endsley combined to pitch 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against TCU. Dunn relieved starting pitcher Ryan Robinson in the fourth inning while not allowing a base hit in two innings of work. Endsley pitched 1 2/3 innings while tallying one strikeout and allowing two hits. Boydston pitched a perfect ninth inning with back-to-back swinging strikeouts and one called third strikeout.

LONG GIVES MAVERICKS A FAMILIAR LIFT
- Senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Long led the Mavs to their only victory at the Al Ogletree Classic with a nine-inning complete-game shutout over host-UT Pan American. Long's outing included seven strikeouts while allowing two walks and scattering seven base hits. It was Long's second career complete-game shutout after tossing an Opening Day 1-0 shutout over Arkansas-Little Rock in 2008.

PITCHING REMAINS STEADY
- The Mavericks hitters hit a speed bump on the road this past week but the UT Arlington pitching staff remains consistent. The Maverick pitchers' recorded a 3.79 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 15 walks on the road this past week after tallying a 3.00 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 13 walks during their first four games at home this season.

WORKING DOWN IN THE ZONE
- In the Mavericks' 3-2 loss against Illinois on Sunday, the Fighting Illini tallied 16 ground-ball outs and a total of 25-of-27 outs in the infield. The only outs recorded outside of the infield were in the fourth inning (Jeff Storms fly out to right field) and fifth inning (Jay Pitschka fly out to center field). Illinois' first baseman Matt Dittman tallied 17 putouts and catcher Aaron Johnson recorded six putouts in the game.

TEAMMATE TURNED OPPONENT
- Matt Otteman was not only facing his home state university when the Mavericks faced Illinois, the Lockport Township prep was also facing a teammate that helped Otteman close out his prep career with a Illinois AA State Championship. Billy Barrett, a right-handed reliever, is currently a junior on the Illinois pitching staff. Ironically, Barrett entered the game in the in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Mavericks to face Otteman where he was able to end the inning while getting Otteman to record a fielder's choice.

5TH INNING IS WHEN IT COUNTS
- The fifth inning has been when the Mavericks have secured their victories and also when they have continued to trail their opponents. In nine games this season, UT Arlington is 4-0 when leading after five innings and 0-5 when trailing after the fifth inning.

IN THE CLUTCH
- Through nine games, UT Arlington has 50 RBI - with 27 RBI coming with two outs. The Mavericks continued hitting in the clutch with four two-out RBIs against Stephen F. Austin, and with one in both games against UT Pan American and Illinois. Choice leads UT Arlington with nine two-out RBI. Overall, the Mavericks are batting .292 (31-for-106) with two outs.

REVERSING THE TREND
- As strong as the Maverick hitters have been hitting with two outs, the Maverick pitchers have been equally strong pitching with two outs. In 93 at-bats, Maverick pitchers are allowing opponents to bat just .215 (20-for-93) with two outs.

BRING IN THE LEFTY!
- UT Arlington is currently 3-0 against left-handed starting pitchers and batting .365 against lefties this season. Six UT Arlington batters are hitting above .400 against south paws, led by Michael Choice who is 8-for-12 (.667) against left-handers this season.

SLOW STARTERS, FAST FINISHERS
- In their five losses this season, the Mavericks have scored only six runs in the first six innings. But they have made comebacks in each loss scoring a combined 14 runs in the seventh, eighth, ninth and extra innings.

MULTIPLE ROLES GIVES SAUTER THE TEAM LEAD
- Andy Sauter continues to pitch in multiple roles for the Mavericks, with two relief appearances and one start. His 1.50 ERA leads the Mavs for pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched and his 13 strikeouts is also a team best. Most recently, Sauter pitched three scoreless innings in relief against Illinois on Sunday.

JUST ABOUT MADE IT 22
- UT Arlington was one out away from recording its 22nd victory over a top 10-nationally ranked opponent when it fell 4-3 against Texas on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Out of the Mavs 21 victories against top 10 teams, eight have come against the Longhorns. (see page 7 for a detailed listing of all victories over top 10 opponents).

CHOICE NAMED SLC HITTER OF THE WEEK
- Mavericks center fielder Michael Choice was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week after the first week of the season on Feb. 24. Choice started the season batting .529 (9-for-17) with a double, triple, home run and nine RBI to help the Mavs go 3-1. Choice went 1-for-3 on Opening Day with a three-run home run that helped the Mavs rally to a 5-4 victory over Arkansas State. In the final game of the week, Choice led all players going 4-for-5 with four RBI against Siena.

CHOICE TURNS IT ON AGAINST BIG 12 OPPONENTS
- After a 2-for-5 performance with a double, home run and three RBI against No. 4 Texas, sophomore Michael Choice is now batting .451 (14-for-31) with four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI against Big 12 opponents in seven games during his brief career.

UTA TAKES SECOND PLACE AT UTA/HILTON INVITE
- The Mavericks opened their 2009 season going 3-1 at the 16th Annual UTA/Hilton Invitational at Clay Gould Ballpark. UT Arlington defeated Arkansas State and Siena twice. UTA is now 27-21 all-time in the tournament while winning or sharing tournament titles in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2006.

NOW THAT IS SWINGING IT
- UT Arlington recorded a .361 batting average in four games at the UTA/Hilton Invitational, marking the highest team average in the tournament. The Mavericks tallied 36 runs in four games, including 13 runs in their third game against Siena and 12 runs against Siena in the invitational finale.

SHUTTING OUT THE COMPETITION
- The Mavericks notched their second shutout in the UTA/Hilton Invitational in 16th years of play with a 13-0 victory over Siena on Saturday evening. The Mavs had only one in their previous 15 UTA/Hilton Invites (2002, UTA 2-Air Force 0).

MOUND PRESENCE
- In the final two games of the UTA/Hilton Invitational, Maverick pitchers combined to throw 18 innings while allowing seven hits, one run and four walks with 15 strikeouts. During those two games, Siena batted just .120 against Maverick pitchers.

MAVERICKS PICKED 6TH IN THE SLC
- Southland Conference head coaches and sports information directors have picked the UT Arlington Mavericks to finish in sixth place in the Southland Conference in 2009.

CHOICE NAMED TO SLC PRESEASON LISTS
- Sophomore center fielder Michael Choice has been named a Southland Conference preseason first team All-Conference selection by league head coaches and SIDs. Choice was one of 12 first team selections that the Southland Conference announced when releasing its preseason first and second team lists. Choice was the only sophomore named to the first team. Choice was then named to the Baseball America and Rivals.com preseason All-Conference team, as both publications previewed the Southland Conference.

FIVE OPPONENTS RECEIVE TOP 25 STATUS
- Five of UT Arlington's opponents, all from the Big 12 South, have been ranked in a preseason Top 25 or Top 30 poll as Texas A&M, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State all made an appearance in a preseason poll. UT Arlington's 2009 schedule includes 10 games against teams that appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament.

CHOICE NAMED TO WALLACE WATCH LIST
- After being named to five Freshman All-American lists in 2008, sophomore center fielder Michael Choice was named to the 2009 Preseason Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List. The Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player.

THOMAS SEARCHING FOR WIN NO. 50
- After becoming the sixth head coach in Mavericks history prior to the start of the 2008 season, Darin Thomas followed with a 26-win season in his first campaign. Thomas will try to become the third head coach in UT Arlington history to collect win No. 50 in his second season at the helm. In fact, Thomas' 26 wins rank second all-time in school history for most wins in a first season as head coach. The following is a list of UT Arlington head coaches and how long it took for them to reach win No. 50 and their overall record when reaching the milestone.

Head Coach Games Record at 50 wins
Jeff Curtis 94 50-44 (2nd season)
Clay Gould 94 50-44 (2nd season)
Fred Matthews 96 50-46 (3rd season)
Butch McBroom 107 50-57 (3rd season)
* Tom Beasley (16-34 record in two season as head coach)

TWENTY-ONE SENIORS BACK FOR 2009
- The UT Arlington baseball program not only returns 27 lettermen, they also have 21 seniors on their 2009 roster. The Mavericks have five players that are three-year lettermen and 22 players that joined the program last season. Of all the Mavericks opponents in 2009, only McNeese State has more than 23 returning lettermen, and just five opponents have at least 20 returning players.

MAVERICKS 19-22 ON OPENING DAY
- UT Arlington is 19-22 on Opening Day, including 10-8 in season-openers at home. Two of the Mavs season-openers (1979 & 2005) were on a neutral field. Last season the Mavericks posted the program's first shutout victory on opening day - also giving Darin Thomas a victory in his head coaching debut. The Mavericks 1-0 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock in 2008 marked the fastest opening day game (1 hour, 52 minutes) in UT Arlington history. Since 2000, the Mavericks have won eight of their last 11 season openers at home, including three of the last four. The most consecutive season-openers the Mavericks have won is three (1981-83), while winning five of six openers from 1978-1983.

SPEAKING OF SEASON OPENERS...
- A year ago, head coach Darin Thomas became the third UT Arlington head coach to win their coaching debut defeating Arkansas-Little Rock 1-0 on Friday, Feb. 22. Clay Gould (2000-2001) beat Texas 3-1 on Feb. 1, 2000 and Fred Matthews (1971-1973) defeated West Texas on Feb. 26, 1971.

2008 SEASON OPENER ONE TO REMEMBER
- The Mavericks' 1-0 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock was the first opening-day shutout win in the 40-year history of UT Arlington baseball. It was also the fastest opening-day contest at 1 hour and 52 minutes. It was the third 1-0 opening-day game in 24 years (1984 loss @ Rice - 1972 loss @ TCU). The Mavericks also defeated Oral Roberts 1-0 in the 1979 home opener.

MAVERICKS 27-14 IN HOME OPENERS
- The Mavericks are now 27-14 all-time in home openers. Since 2000, the Mavs are 7-3 in home openers, with three straight date back to 2007. Last season's 1-0 shutout over Arkansas-Little Rock marked the Mavericks fourth home-opener shutout, with the other most recent shutout coming in 2004 against TCU (11-0).

SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
- Doubling the Mavs win total in his first season as head coach was not the only accomplishment Darin Thomas provided the UT Arlington baseball program in his first season. Thomas helped guide the Mavericks to two semesters of a team cumulative grade point average over a 3.0. A total of 20 baseball student-athletes received recognition on the UT Arlington Athletic Director's Honor Roll and 18 were named to the Capital One/Southland Conference Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. The start of the 2008-09 school year was equally successful as 22 baseball student-athletes were named to the UT Arlington Academic Honor Roll and the Mavericks as a team registered a 3.183 team grade point average.

VICTORIES OVER TOP 10 OPPONENTS
- UT Arlington has posted 21 victories over teams that have been ranked in the top 10 in the nation at the time of the contest. The Mavs added to their total with a 16-8 victory over then-No. 7 Texas A&M in 2008 at Clay Gould Ballpark (May 13).

05/13/08 vs. #7 Texas A&M 16-8
04/11/06 @ #6 Texas 6-3
03/08/05 @ #9 Texas A&M 6-4
02/15/05 @ #8 Baylor 9-6
01/26/01 @ #6 Arizona State 5-3
02/19/94 vs. #6 Oklahoma State 6-4
04/06/93 vs. #2 Texas A&M 8-6
03/10/93 vs. #8 Oklahoma State 26-13
03/28/92 @ #5 Texas 5-4
02/21/89 @ #7 Texas 2-0
03/05/88 vs. #10 Oklahoma 5-4
03/06/88 vs. #10 Oklahoma 11-10
02/16/85 @ #3 Texas 14-13
02/17/85 @ #3 Texas 7-1
02/19/83 @ #1 Texas 10-6
02/20/83 @ #1 Texas 8-5
03/20/81 @ #5 Texas 6-1
02/27/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 6-4
02/27/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 5-3
02/28/76 vs. #7 Oral Roberts 9-1
02/20/76 @ #10 TCU 3-0

UTA SIGNS EIGHT PROSPECTS FOR 2010
- Head coach Darin Thomas announced that eight student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent and will play baseball for the Mavericks beginning in the 2010 season. The signing class includes five high school prospects and three junior-college student-athletes.