Mattern's two homers lead to win

Mattern hit two home runs yesterday as the Arizona baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Radford at Sancet Field. The No. 21 Wildcats improved their record to 21-10 while the Highlanders fell to 7-10.

"Today I uncharacteristically got two high fastballs," Mattern said. "I just put the bat on them and they took care of themselves."

Although the two home runs caught Mattern by surprise, he knew that it was something he was capable of.

"I knew I had it in me," Mattern said. "I gained some weight and strength over the summer. It was shocking, but I expect myself to have a few."

Mattern has been on a tear since joining the starting lineup after recovering from mononucleosis.

In the 19 games that he has played, he has 36 hits, 23 runs scored and a team-leading 13 doubles. Entering the game, Mattern was hitting .472.

"It's been the same thing the whole year," Mattern said. "I have been seeing the ball real well, it seems."

The Wildcats scored six runs in the bottom of the third. Mattern led it off with a two-out, two-run homer. Junior shortstop Jake Thrower reached first on third baseman Brian Elms' error, which Arizona made the Highlanders pay for. Junior center fielder Diego Rico hit a triple that scored Thrower, and then scored on a double by junior first baseman Kenny Corley.

Corley hit his ninth home run of the year in the fourth, a solo shot. Corley finished the day 2-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. His series' line was 5-for-10 with four doubles.

Mattern added another solo home run in the fifth over the left field wall.

Arizona showed some patience at the plate, collecting 13 hits and five walks.

"We are always working on trying to get a good pitch to hit," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said.

The Wildcats had a scary moment in the third when sophomore catcher Greg Clark was hit by a pitch. The ball bounced off Clark's arm, into his face and struck him near the side of the nose, breaking it.

Clark was taken to the hospital for X-rays to make sure that his cheekbone was not fractured. Results of the X-ray were not known at press time.

Entering the game, Clark was hitting .325 with a home run and 17 RBI as the team's starting catcher.

Freshman left-hander Tony Milo (2-0) picked up the win for the Wildcats. He went five innings, allowing one run on four hits. Milo walked three while striking out two.

Radford got to Arizona's middle relievers, scoring eight of its nine runs after the fifth inning. UA right-hander Dave Abbott gave up three runs, one earned, in 1 2/3 innings. Sophomore lefty Scott Wood allowed four runs in a third of an inning.

Sophomore southpaw Rob Shabansky pitched the last two innings, shutting the door on the Highlanders' rally attempt.