The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas-Arlington
Baseball falls to UT Arlington despite two home runs from Kyle Russell
04.16.2008 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 20 Texas Longhorns fell behind early and were unable recover in a 4-3 loss to the UT Arlington Mavericks in collegiate baseball action Wednesday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Kyle Russell hit two home runs in the contest, giving him six in the last four games and nine on the season. Michael Torres hit a single in the first inning to extend his hit streak to 23 games, one shy of the Texas record of 24 set by Rick Bradley in 1974.
After three scoreless innings, UT Arlington (17-20) drew first blood in the top of the third inning. Collin Garner laced a pinch-hit leadoff double down the leftfield line. David McLeod plated Garner with another double down the leftfield line to break the scoring seal. With one out, Danny Slinkman drove in McLeod with a double to rightfield. Jeff Storms completed the rally with a single up the middle to score Slinkman.
Russell put Texas (23-13) on the scoreboard with a solo home run over the fence in rightfield in the home half of the fifth. The dinger came on a 1-2 offering from UTA starter Mark Picca.
The Mavericks scored an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. Steffan Guest hit a pinch-hit single and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Preston McCoy. A sacrifice bunt pushed McCoy to second and he scored on a two-out single up the middle by Michael Choice.
Jordan Danks hit a wind-aided double to centerfield and scored on a single to the gap in left centerfield by Tant Shepherd to trim the UTA lead to 4-2.
Russell hit an opposite field solo home run to start the ninth inning, but Texas was unable to tie the contest.
Kenn Kasparek (1-3) was saddled with the loss for Texas. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out two over four innings. Austin Wood pitched two innings of scoreless relief, striking out two while allowing two hits and one walk.
Picca (1-2) earned his first collegiate win, yielding one run on three hits and two walks while striking out one over six innings. Ryan Martin earned the save, allowing one run on two hits over 1.2 innings.
Texas returns to Big 12 Conference action on Friday at 6:05 p.m. with a home game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
