Feb. 18, 2007
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Lobo baseball team (3-6) appeared to have their second win of the Hilton Arlington UTA Invitational in the bag but a stunning three-hit, two-run performance in the bottom of the ninth rallied Texas-Arlington to a 2-1 victory. The Mavericks scored the winning run after junior starter Jacob Norton intentionally walked Mitch Putman to load the bases and then accidentally walked David McLeod, sending the winning run across the plate.
New Mexico finally put a run on the board in the fifth after posting just three hits in the first four innings. Freshman Derek Pilkington led off the inning with a bunt and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Scott Gracey. Freshman Bret Fanning laced a single to center, sending Pilkington to third. Pilkington scored the team’s lone run in the next at bat, a sharp grounder to third by senior Jay Russell.
Norton started the game, allowing a hit in the first, two in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth. He was masterful in the fifth through the eighth, holding UTA hitless. Norton struck out one batter the second, third, fourth, fifth and eighth innings for a season-high five.
Seven Lobos combined for eight hits with sophomore Dane Hamilton leading the team, going 2-for-4. Seven Mavericks also teamed for eight hits as Leo Radkowski led UTA going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Brandon Endsley earned the win for UT-Arlington, throwing a hitless, scoreless ninth inning, striking out one. UTA’s starter, Chris Taylor, gave up eight hits, two walks and a run with three strikeouts in 8.0 innings. Norton (0-2) suffered his second loss straight loss, going 8.2 innings for eight hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts.
The Lobos head back to Las Cruces, N.M. for their second straight Tuesday match-up with New Mexico State. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.