Lions Take Series from UTA, Gain Ground in Standings

The SLU Lions went on the road and took care of some business against the Texas-Arlington Mavericks this weekend as they won the series two games to one.  With the series win the Lions move to 22-11 overall on the season and 9-6 in the Southland Conference.  SLU sits tied for 3rd in the SLC standings with Lamar.  But more importantly they are now two games back of leader Texas State.  The Lions travel to San Marcos this weekend to face the Bobcats in a SLC showdown.

On Friday night, after the Mavericks picked up three runs on 4 hits in the 1st inning, Brandon Efferson found his groove and limited UTA to no runs on just 3 hits over the next 6.2 innings.  Efferson picked up his 5th win of the season moving him into 3rd place on the SLU all time wins list with 21.  The Lions bats then came through as they scored three runs in the 6th and picked up a run apiece in the 8th and 9th to take a 5-3 lead.  Closer Stefan Lopez entered with two outs in the 8th and picked up his 6th save of the season allowing no runs on no hits and striking out two.

On Saturday the Lions put up 11 hits but could only muster 2 runs as they stranded 12 base runners in their 2-1 series clinching victory.  Tyler Watkins ran his record to 6-0 on the season giving up one run on eight hits over eight solid innings of work.  Lopez earned his 2nd save in as many days shutting down the Mavericks in the 9th.

The Mavericks, trying to avoid the sweep, never gave up on Sunday as they trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the 6th.  UTA put up thee runs in the bottom and got an insurance run in 8th to win 4-3.
 
Game One
SLU  000 003 011 - 5 8 1
UTA  300 000 000 - 3 7 1

WP - Brandon Efferson (5-2)
LP - Lance Day (2-5)
Save - Stefan Lopez (6)

Top Hitters:
Brock Hebert 3-5, 2B, Run
Cody Gougler 2-4, RBI

Game Two
SLU  020 000 000 - 2 11 0
UTA  000 000 001 - 1  9 2

WP - Tyler Watkins (6-0)
LP - Collin Reynolds (2-4)
Save - Stefan Lopez (7)

Top Hitters:
Brock Hebert 2-3, 2B, RBI
Jonathan Pace 2-4,
Jeff Harkensee 2-4

Game Three
SLU  002 000 001 - 3  4 0
UTA  000 003 01X - 4 10 2

WP - Calan Pritchard (2-1)
LP - Joseph Koon (2-4)
Save - Adam Boydston (6)