Baseball at Globe Life Park – UT-Arlington vs Texas A&M

Mar 1, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder

(23) talks to Texas Rangers center fielder

(15) and

(6) before a game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers ballpark, now named  Globe Life Park is hosted UT-Arilington and Texas A&M Aggies (March 4, 2014).

Former UTA Maverick Michael Choice was acquired by the Texas Rangers from the Oakland Athletics back on December 3, 2013 in a multi-player trade that included outfielder Craig Gentry.  Choice was one of the top prospects for the Athletics and is currently listed as the 2014 number 72 prospect by MLB.com.

Choice is currently battling for  a roster spot opposite of Engle Beltre in Surprise Arizona.  He is currently batting .364 after 6 games/11 at-bats.  He has also played very well in the field.  Choice is giving the Rangers every reason so far to keep him on the roster when they break camp.  But, Engle Beltre is out of options, so that could force the Rangers to keep him instead, at least to start the season.  He he doesn’t make the roster, he’ll spend time in Round Rock and will probably be called up sometime during the season.

You may not know, but Michael Choice is a native Texan and grew up playing baseball in Arlington and later went to play ball at the University of Texas at Arlington.   For those who are starved for baseball, Michael Choice’s old college UTA played at Globe Park Life against the Texas A&M Aggies.  Choice of course wasn’t at the game, but seeing his old team in action at the ballpark was still fun to watch as they took on the Aggies.

About the game

UTA recently beat number 12 TCU back on  February 25, 2014 by a score of 10-2.  Brad Vachon was the winning pitcher.  He only allowed 1 run, struck out 7 over 6 2/3 innings.

Baseball at Globe Park Life – Texas A&M Aggies vs UTA Mavericks (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)

Starting pitchers

Mavericks Brad Vachon (RHP 1-2, ERA 6.43) for Mavericks vs Aggies – Tyler Stubblefield (LHP, 1-1 ERA 0.68)

 UT-Arlington Mavericks Lineup

• Derek Miller
• Travis Sibley
• Matt Shortall
• Greg McCall
• Justin Copeland
• John Michael Twichiell
• Levi Scott
• Eric Tate
• Peter Cuomo

Texas A&M Aggies Lineup 

• Blake Allemand
• Logan Nottebrok
• Hunter Melton
• Cole Lankford
• Troy Stein
• Nick Banks
• Ryne Birk
• Krey Brasten

The game started just like any other game at the ballpark.  Chuck Morgan’s voice came over the PA system that echoed around the ballpark.   The effect might have been a bit amplified last night with the cold, and a lot less people than a Rangers game.  But, the 47 degrees at first pitch probably didn’t help bring in the fans for the Mavericks or the Aggies. You pretty much had the diehard fans there last night.   As Morgan called out the starting line up for the Aggies, it reminded me of last season when he called out the names of the Angels, Athletics or another western division team the Rangers played.  Then, it was the home team, the Mavericks.  I know it is not the same as hearing the names such as Adrian Beltre over the PA, but hearing Derek Miller, MattShortall and others still had the same effect, I was ready for some baseball in Arlington!  Some how, Morgan set the mood at that very moment and you knew first pitch was just moments away.  After Morgan delivered the lineups, some of the fans were talking about what will happen post-Morgan days.  And I’m not looking forward to those days yet, but they all agreed he’s the best and if you could, you would want to bottle up the magic he delivers and keep it at the ballpark for ever.

The game started just like any other Rangers game, there was a ceremonial first pitch then Brad Vachon took to the mound to start the game.

Vachon, who recently lead the Mavericks to a win over number 12 TCU started the game a well, but did have a few balls in the dirt in the first inning, but was able to get Logan Nottebrok to hit into a double play to end the inning without any damage.  The Mavericks would get a great hit in the first inning by Matt Shortall that was hit very hard up the middle for a triple.  The Mavericks were unable to bring him in, which seemed to be the case for most of the game for them.  

In the top of the second, Cole Lankford lead off with a double, and scored a run when Nick Banks grounded to the shortstop and beat out the throw at first.  Aggies took the lead 1-0. 

Again, in the second, the Mavericks managed to hit the ball hard, John Michael Twichell hit the ball deep to centerfield, but Kray Brasten made a great play to keep him from what could have been a double, possibly stretched to a triple.  But, Eric Tate was unable to bring him home, stranding yet another batter.

The Aggies tacked on another run in the 6th making it 2-0 over the Mavericks, but really broke it open in the 7th, which was about a 45 minute inning, to score 3 runs.

In the bottom of the 7th, down 5-0, the Mavericks looked like they were going to start chipping away at the Aggies lead.  Darien McLemore, son of ex-Rangers Mark McLemore came in the game to pinch hit.  McLemore walked to help get the bases loaded.  With no outs, Derek Miller came to bat to try to get some runs on the board.  Miller got a good hit on the ball, but it was directly to the shortstop on a weak line for the out and the Aggies were able to throw to first for the double play.  That play pretty much ended the 7th inning threat for the Aggies.

In the 8th, the Mavericks finally got on the board when McCall hit his 3rd home run of the season, just over the AT&T sign in right field, about 362 feet to cut the Aggies lead to 5-2.

The Mavericks looked like they were going to tie the game in the 9th, but came up short losing 5-4.

This was a very exciting game to watch, the Mavericks seemed to be just one play here or there to tie or go ahead of the Aggies.  UTA will play again at Globe Life Park on March 11, 7:00 pm against the Oklahoma Sooners.  Even if you don’t like either team or college baseball, you should still go.  You’ll get a chance to catch a great game at the ball park, and what I would expect to be another hard fought game between the two team.  For me, it was great seeing baseball finally back at the ballpark, and in just a few weeks, the Texas Rangers will make they way back from Surprise to play against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Next UTA game at Globe Life Park – March 11, 2014 @ 7:00 pm against the Oklahoma Sooners