| April 22, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. Ruffin’s complete game shutout gives UTSA a 7-0 win at Texas-Arlington Score Box
ARLINGTON, Texas – Junior pitcher Josh Ruffin (right) tossed his fourth complete game and third shutout of the season as the UTSA baseball team extended its winning streak to six games with a 7-0 win over Southland Conference foe Texas-Arlington Mavericks Saturday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark.
With the win, the Roadrunners improved to 26-12 overall and 12-5 in league play, while the Mavericks dipped to 18-24 on the year and 11-7 in SLC play.
Ruffin’s complete game shutout was his third in conference action, which leads the league with most shutouts on the year. The Humble, Texas, native collected five strikeouts, allowed two walks, scattered six hits and held UTA’s offense scoreless on the day. Ruffin upped his record to a team best 5-1 and 4-0 in SLC play.
Junior Ryan Saltzgaber, who returned after an injury suffered against Texas-Pan American on April 4, went 3-for-5 and scored once on the day. Senior J.R. Voyles, who had his 23-game hitting streak come to an end in Friday night's 5-2 victory, had a 3-for-6 day with three RBI and a run scored. Junior Michael McKennon recorded three RBI on the day and two hits.
For UTA, Dillon Gee suffered his sixth loss of the season and dropped his record to 5-6. The Mavs had six different players collect a hit.
After four scoreless innings, UTSA got on the board first with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Saltzgaber (left) led off with a single to center then advanced to third when junior Brandon Koger doubled to left field. Voyles’ single drove in Koger with the first run of the game. McKennon’s single down the right field line, plated Voyles and sophomore Marshal Davis, who reached base via a fielder’s choice, and made the score 3-0.
In the seventh inning, UTA threatened with runners on first and second and one out. Junior Robby Winn and sophomore Brock Wilson reached base with back-to-back singles. Ruffin got out of the jam, by forcing the next two batters to fly out in foul territory and get out of the inning.
The Roadrunners increased their lead to 6-0 in the top eighth with their second three-run inning on the day. Saltzgaber reached base for the second time on the day, then moved to second on Koger’s fielder’s choice. Voyles’ single to left center scored Saltzgaber and Koger. McKennon collected his third RBI of the game with his single to left field, allowing Voyles to score and give UTSA a 6-0 advantage. The Runners tacked on one run in the ninth inning, when freshman Michael Rockett led off with a single then came around to scored from first off Etheredge’s double to left field.
UTSA and UTA conclude the three-game series Sunday at Clay Gould Ballpark, first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
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