Stephen F. Austin
Texas-Arlington
`Jacks Fall 18-9 To UTA
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack baseball team was taxed for 17 hits and 18 runs in an 18-9 loss to Texas-Arlington on Sunday afternoon at Jaycees Field as part of the Tipton Ford Classic.
Sophomore Nick Ramos led SFA (1-2) at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI, one of two ‘Jacks to record a multi-hit game against UTA (1-2).
Designated hitter Hunter Wilson finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk and run scored, while Garrett McMullen was 1-for-5 with two RBI, double and a run scored. SFA was outhit 17-10 by the Mavericks.
Senior Josh Keith (0-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits in one inning of relief of starter Eric Polivka. Polivka allowed six runs (all earned) on seven hits and two walks across two and two-thirds innings pitched in his debut. In total, nine ‘Jacks toed the mound in the loss, highlighted by Grant Page, Austin Smith and Patrick Ledet all turning in scoreless innings.
After a silent opening frame from both teams, UTA scored six runs over the team’s next two trips to the plate to go up 6-0. SFA responded however, with six runs in the bottom frame to knot the game at six-all after three innings of play.
With one out, Wilson doubled to left field and advanced to third on a single up the middle from junior Matthew Dickey. Dickey then moved up a base, swiping second, before sophomore Conner Fikes drew a walk to load the bases. Wilson and Dickey came in one batter later on a single up the middle from Ramos. Senior Dan O’Neil then singled and McMullen doubled to center field to plate two more. Kyle Thornell followed, scoring O’Neil on a groundout to the pitcher, before McMullen stole home to tie the game.
Despite the ‘Jacks adding one run in the fourth and two more in the seventh, the Mavs unfortunately added 12 runs over the final six innings to hand SFA its second loss of the season.
The ‘Jacks will close the Tipton Ford Classic on Monday, Feb. 16, facing Washington State at 6:30 p.m.
-SFA-
