It is the beginning of the end for the Southland Conference Season and tonight was a night to remember. The University of Texas- Arlington Mavericks came into this series in the 5th sed to compete against the Texas State Bobcats who were tied for 1st with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. All that has now changed, the Bobcats have proven themselves once again after an outstanding 10-0 run rule triumph ending the game in the 7th inning.
Starting for Texas State was sophomore Carson Smith and for the Mavericks was senior Jason Mitchell. But it wasn’t the senior starter for UT-Arlington that was predicted to come out and put on a show against Smith, it was #2 centerfield Michael Choice who had a batting average of .397. But tonight has proven that numbers aren’t always what the players going to show. Carson came into the first inning taking out the first two batters leaving Michael Choice up to bat. Just by sitting in the audience view, it was obvious that Carson was ready to take out the best batter on the Mavericks team. First pitch was a ball, then a strike, then another and out went Choice on a 4 pitch count. The impressive Carson Smith striked out Michael Choice just as if he was just any other batter on the team.
It then came to the bottom of the first and Jason Mitchell came off with a bad start that followed through till he was changed out in the 6th inning. Kyle Livingstone who is the replacement for Paul Goldschmidt (All-American) in first base who recorded a two run single in his first bat. The Bobcats earned three runs off the first inning and led the game never looking back.
Arlington’s only hope getting a run was in the fourth inning when they received their first scoring position to second base by #26 Nick Orr. It’s the bottom of the fourth and no runs have yet been achieved by either team. A sacrifice bunt was hit by batter Clint Vest for the Bobcats and which allowed Jeff McVaney to steal 3rd base. After that, a wild pitch is thrown by Jason Mitchell for the Mavericks and McVaney takes home while Laurn Randell was waiting on bat.
The game had been consistent among the pitchers, Carson leading and Jason Mitchell was amazingly still in the game after many foul plays. The Mavericks just didn’t seem like they were prepared to play against the #1 sed in the conference. Any other time Arlington had a chance to get a homerun, Carson got the next batter out with either a double play or a single. Chances for the Mavericks to catch up were scarce to none.
The 6th inning was the lead to the end for the Mavericks. Kyle Livingstone scored a 3 run homer which then lead to a pitching change for Arlington. Jason Mitchell was changed off for #38 Stephen Krolick who still couldn’t match up against the Cats.
Jason Martinson came up after the pitching change and scored off a double and then came home after a hit off Jeff McVaney.
The Bobcats are 33-19 overall and 22-9 in Southland Conference play, and now hold sole possession of first play due to Southeastern Louisiana’s loss against Northwestern. The series continues tomorrow at 6:30 pm with senior Michael Russo starting off for the Bobcats.
Jessica Salinas, KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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