April 14, 2009
Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington's four-run sixth inning erased a 3-1 Baylor lead, and the Mavericks held off a late-inning Baylor rally as UTA defeated the seventh-ranked Bears 5-4 Tuesday night at Clay Gould Ballpark. Baylor (23-11) suffered its first loss in a one-run game since the season's second game, snapping a 10-game winning streak in such games. UT Arlington (19-16) snapped a nine-game losing streak against Baylor.
The Bears pushed three runs across the plate on just one hit in the top of the fourth to break a scoreless tie. Gregg Glime plated the first run with a one-out RBI single; it was Glime's first RBI since March 26 when he had two RBI against TCU. Raynor Campbell later scampered home on a wild pitch, and Glime scored when UTA catcher Chad Comer's attempt to get Campbell at the plate sailed down the third-base line.
UTA scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth. Matt Otteman reached to open the inning on a muffed throw by Baylor first baseman Dustin Dickerson. Otteman later scored when Dickerson could not field a two-out grounder.
It was the sixth inning, though, that cost the Bears the game. Andrew Kainer started the rally with a one-out single, and Comer followed with a walk. Jeff Storms loaded the bases with a single to right, and Tim Steggall tied the game with a two-run single through the left side. Ryan Davis followed with an RBI single, and Steggall later scored on a Dickerson throwing error.
Dickerson tried to atone for the errors, blasting a leadoff home run in the top of the eighth to pull the Bears to within one run at 5-4. Aaron Miller later reached on a one-out single, but he was stranded at first. Kenton Gedwed delivered a one-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth, but UTA closer Adam Boydston struck out Josh Ludy and got Dan Evatt to fly out to end the game.
Jason Mitchell (3-5) earned the victory for UTA in relief; he allowed one run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Boydston retired both batters he faced to record his fifth save of the season. UTA starter Rett Varner allowed three runs - two earned - on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
Shawn Tolleson was strong in his first start since March 16. He allowed one unearned run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 5.0 innings. Tolleson left the game with the lead. However, Craig Fritsch (1-5) allowed four runs - three earned - on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning and was saddled with the loss.
Seven Baylor batters had one hit each. Dickerson's home run extended his career-long hitting streak to 20 games, the longest this season in the Big 12 Conference.
Baylor and UTA meet again Wednesday at Baylor Ballpark; first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT. The Bears send right-hander Trent Blank (1-1, 9.17 ERA) to the mound, while the Mavericks counter with southpaw Mark Picca (0-0, 7.50 ERA).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 73-28, including a 29-16 advantage in games played at Arlington. The Bears are 27-9 against UTA during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. €¦ Aaron Miller extended his hitting streak to nine games.
