April 20, 2004
Cory Patton pitched 4.2 solid innings and went two-for-four at the plate but Texas-Arlington combined to score five runs in the final two innings to defeat No. 14 Texas A&M, 5-4, in front of 1,388 fans at Clay Gould Ballpark.
UTA scored two runs in the bottom of the eight on four straight singles and A&M miscues led to their scoring three more in the ninth.
Brett Lewis led off the inning with a flyball to shallow center that was dropped by John Infante. Daniel Lenihan followed with a single. Carey Avants laid down a bunt that was fielded by pitcher Kevin Whelan, whose throw to third sailed down the left-field line allowing all runners to advance two bases and cut the A&M lead to one run.
Cliff Pennington replaced Whelan on the mound and threw a wild pitch to allow both runners to advance a base a tie the game. Kasey baker singled to right to score the game winner.
With the loss, the Aggies fell to 31-12 overall while the Mavericks improved to 24-17. The Aggies are now 17-5 all-time against UTA.
Texas A&M tagged UTA starting pitcher Grant Varnell for three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead. With one out, Matt Alexander single to right and Cliff Pennington reached when Maverick shortstop Aaron Batlle booted a sharp grounder. Coby Mavroulis, Austin Boggs and Cory Patton all followed with RBI singles to do the damage in the inning.
Patton deposited a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right-center field in the top of the sixth to chase Varnell from the game and stretch the A&M lead to 4-0.
Patton did not allow a run and scattered five hits, while striking out two and walking three. The appearance was the first for the senior left-hander since 2002 when he went 8-1 at Seward Community College.
Kevin Whelan (0-2) suffered the loss.
The Aggies return to Big 12 action this weekend when they host Missouri in a three-game series. First pitch for the opener will be 7 p.m. at Olsen Field on Friday.