Box score

ARLINGTON, Texas – UT-Arlington scored five runs in the first inning while two Maverick pitchers combined to shut out the University of South Alabama baseball team 7-0 Saturday at Clay Gould Ballpark.

UTA (8-7, 3-2 SBC) loaded the bases with one out on singles by Matt McLean and Levi Scott, and a walk by Eric Tate. Brady Cox then delivered a grand slam over the left-center field wall to give the Mavericks a 4-0 lead. Jerame Littell followed with a solo homer to left field to extend the UTA lead to 5-0.

UT-Arlington pushed its lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to left-center field by Travis Sibley. A walk by USA right-hander Cameron Cochran to Littrell loaded the bases with no outs in the inning. But the right-hander avoided further damage by recording the first out of the frame via strikeout, followed by an inning-ending double play on a line drive caught by Danny Martinez at first who stepped on the bag to complete the twin killing.

The Mavericks added the game's final run in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out RBI single to left field by Scott.

UTA left-hander Brad Vassar (2-2) earned the win with five scoreless innings, and allowed three hits while striking out one and issuing three walks. Maverick southpaw Kyle Laberge tossed four scoreless relief innings, and allowed just two hits while striking out four and issuing a walk. Long (1-2) took the loss in two innings, allowing six runs on six hits with a strikeout and a walk.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple to lead the South Alabama (12-7, 3-2 SBC) at the plate. Matt Bolger finished 2-for-3 with a double. Jackson Morris went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, and Cox finished 1-for-4 with a homer, four RBI and a run scored to lead UTA offensively.

The series will conclude with the rubber match at 1 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).