March 16, 2011

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas - Preston Beck was four-of-five at the plate with two RBI and the Mavericks touched up the Louisiana Tech pitching staff for 11 runs on 16 hits to knock off the Bulldogs, 11-6, Wednesday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Trailing by a run in the top of the fourth, Kyle Roliard led off the inning with a single to center and moved to second on a stolen base. Alex Williams drew a one-out walk and Clint Ewing drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Austin Hedges. On a 2-1 pitch, UTA reliever, Kasey Merck hit Hedges to even the score at six runs apiece. However, the Bulldogs would strand all three runners on base as Merck caught Will Alvis looking on 3-2 count.

In the bottom half of the inning, Freshman Ben Carlisle allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Beck drilled a one-out triple down the right field line, allowing the Mavericks to retake the lead.

Looking to keep the game close, Josh Barrett entered the game but four wild pitches and three walks allowed two more Mavericks to cross the plate, giving UTA a 10-6 lead. Mike Jefferson relieved Barrett and closed out the inning by forcing a fly ball out to right.

Carlisle (1-1) was saddled with his first loss of the season after allowing three runs on three hits in 1.0 innings of work.

In relief of Merck, Michael Oberto tossed 4.0 innings allowing just two hits and two walks to quite the Bulldogs offense that had scored six runs on six hits against the Mavericks' two prior pitchers.

UT Arlington (10-7) added a run in the eighth inning with an RBI single through the right side from Jordan Vaughn to cap the scoring for the Mavericks.

Beck came in from right field to close out the game for the Mavericks, picking up two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Merck (1-0) was credited with his first win of the season after allowing one run on two hits while walking two batters in 1.1 innings of work.

Louisiana Tech (8-8) returns to action Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. CST as the Bulldogs square off against 25th-ranked Rice at Reckling Park.

Notes: Louisiana Tech is now 41-47 all-time against UT Arlington... Mark Threlkeld has made 88 consecutive starts... Austin Hedges tallied a career-high two RBI... Alex Williams tied his career-highs with two doubles and three walks... All nine starters in the UT Arlington lineup tallied at least one hit.