April 7, 2006

Box Score

ARLINGTON - Senior C.J. Ebarb went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and junior Steve Macfarland fanned 12 in eight innings on the mound leading Lamar University to a 10-3 win over Texas-Arlington Friday night in Southland Conference action at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Lamar improved to 23-11 overall and 11-2 in SLC play. The Cardinals have won eight straight league games. UTA dropped to 14-18 overall and 10-1 in SLC play. The Mavericks hold just a percentage points lead in the league standings.

Lamar jumped out early with three runs in the top of the first inning. Erik Kanaby, who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, bunted for a single on the first pitch of the game. Ryan Baker, who was 3-for-5, followed with a single to up the middle to put runners on the corners.

Collin Delome grounded into a double play, but Kanaby was able to score on the play. Dan Hernandez walked and Will Henderson followed with a 2-run home run to left field to put Lamar up 3-0. It was Henderson's 10th long ball of the year, which leads the SLC.

The Cardinals added three more runs in the top of the third inning. Kanaby led off by being hit by a pitch and Baker followed with a single. Hernandez, who was 2-for-4 with three runs scored, drove in Kanaby with a double off the wall in left center field. Henderson drove in Baker with a sacrifice fly to center field and Ebarb singled to right field to score Hernandez and put Lamar up 6-0.

UTA used a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to score a pair of runs. Kyle Rudy singled with one out. Daniel Rieder doubled down the right field line with two outs to put runners on second and third. Danny Slinkman delivered a 2-run singled to center field to cut Lamar's lead to 6-2.

Lamar kept the three theme going as the Cardinals plated three in the top of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 9-2. Baker and DeLome both singled to lead off the inning. Hernandez hit into a fielder's choice and Henderson flew out to center field. Ebarb delivered an RBI single and Lambeth followed with a 2-run triple to right center field on the first pitch he saw from reliever Nathan Long to push Lamar's lead to 9-2.

UTA's Adam Moore led off the eighth inning with a double to left center field. Two batters later, Brock Wilson sliced a double down the left field line to drive in Moore and make the score 9-3.

Lamar closed out the scoring with a run in the top of the ninth inning. DeLome reached on a fielding error by first baseman Robby Winn. Hernandez doubled to left center field to put runners on second and third. Ebarb drove in DeLome with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Cardinals pounded out 15 hits in scoring their 10 runs. It marked the fifth straight game that Lamar has recorded double-figure hit total, and ninth in the last 10 games. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit except shortstop Colt Crawford, who went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Macfarland improved to 6-1 on the season, allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts, which tied his career-high set two weeks ago against Stephen F. Austin. Scott Meyer pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit with one strikeout.

UTA starter Ryan Riddle (3-1) took his first loss of the season, allowing nine runs on 13 hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings pitched. Long pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Senior William Delage, who is 6-2 with a 2.97 earned run average, is expected to start today's game for Lamar. Dillon Gee, who is 4-4 with a 4.17 ERA, is UTA's probable starter.