Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

     FORT WORTH, Texas - Texas Wesleyan blew a two-run lead in a first-game loss, but scored two late runs to come back and salvage a split against UT-Dallas Monday afternoon at LaGrave Field.

     UT-Dallas (31-5) scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take game one, 4-2, but Texas Wesleyan (24-23) scored two runs in the final two innings to win game two, 3-2.

     In game two, Texas Wesleyan started off strong, scoring a run in the first inning. Junior Mark Smajstrla reached base on a one-out single. He advanced to third on a walk by sophomore Matt Putman and a single by freshman Drew Jeffcoat. Smajstrla then scored on a fielding error by the Comet shortstop to make it 1-0.

     In the fourth inning, UT-Dallas struck back, scoring two runs. First-baseman Lawrence Valbuena led off with a single through the right side. He then scored on a triple to right-center field by designated hitter Rob Spencer. Spencer then scored on a double by right fielder David Widaski to take a 2-1 lead.

     In the fifth inning, senior Eric Vaughn led off with a triple to right field. He then scored on a single by freshman Jason Diaz to tie the score, 2-2. The Rams took the lead for good in the sixth inning, when senior Derek Armstrong reached base with two outs on a fielder's choice. He advanced to third base on a single by sophomore Travis Clifford. He then scored when Vaughn struck out but advanced to first when a wild pitch by Comet starter Joeseph Wolscheid rolled into the UT-Dallas dugout.

     Ram reliever Eric Cartmill (3-2) picked up the victory allowing no hits or runs over the final three innings, while striking out three batters.

     In game one, the Rams got on the board in the first inning when Diaz reached second base on an error by the Comet shortstop. After a strikeout, Putman singled in Diaz to put Texas Wesleyan ahead, 1-0.

     In the fifth inning, Diaz again reached base, but this time by a hit-by-pitch. He then advanced to second on a groundout by Smajstrla and scored on another RBI-single by Putman to make push the Ram lead to, 2-0.

     Three outs away from a victory, three Texas Wesleyan pitchers surrendered four runs in the seventh.

     Ram starter Jeffcoat allowed one run on five hits, while striking out six batters in six innings of work. Senior Brad Shiller (0-3) was the hard-luck loser, allowing two unearned runs on two hits in 0.1 innings of work.

     Putman led the Rams, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs on the afternoon.

     Texas Wesleyan will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to take on LSU-Shreveport. The doubleheader is set for 4 p.m.