College Confidential

UTA basketball: men picked to win division

Coming off the program's best season, the Mavericks were picked in the 2008-09 preseason coaches and sports information directors' polls to win the Southland Conference West Division. The UTA women were picked to finish fourth in both polls.

The Mavericks finished tied for third in the West Division last year and went in the conference tournament as the No. 7 seed. UTA beat three higher-seeded teams, winning the conference title, a program-best 21 wins, and playing in the team's first-ever NCAA tournament.

UTA put three players on the preseason all-conference teams. Returning starters Roger Guignard and Anthony Vereen, last season's conference tournament most valuable player, were selected to the preseason all-conference second team. Candice Champion, UTA's top returning starter, was picked tothe women's preseason all-conference second team.

Trey Hillman to be honored by UTA

Current Kansas City Royals manager, Trey Hillman leads a list of 10 UT-Arlington graduates to be honored at the 43rd Distinguished Alumni Gala on Saturday. The ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. at UTA's E.H. Hereford University Center.

Hillman finished his first season leading the Royals after managing in Japan for five years. He played second base and shortstop for UTA from 1982-85 and still holds the program's single-season batting record with a .442 average in 1985. Hillman was inducted in the UTA Athletic Hall of Honor in 1992.

The Distinguished Alumni Award, which Hillman will receive, and the Distinguished Alumni Service Award were established in 1965 and given to recognized alumni for individual achievements, contributions to their professions, community service and demonstrated loyalty to UTA.

Tickets are $125 each. For more information, go to the UTA Alumni Association website (www.uta.edu/alumni).

UTA golf opener canceled

The UTA golf team was scheduled to open its season this weekend in Hilton Head, S.C. at the Rees Jones Invitational on Sunday and Monday. The Mavericks won't make the trip however, as the threat of inclement weather and Hurricane Hanna possibly making landfall Saturday near North and South Carolina canceled the tournament. Tournament officials are hoping to reschedule the invitational in November. UTA will now open its season Sept. 29 at the St. Mary's Invitational in California.

-Angel Verdejo

Choice honored

UT-Arlington freshman Michael Choice was named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year. Choice (pictured), a Mansfield Timberview graduate, played in 48 games, finishing with a .374 average, 71 hits, nine doubles, three triples and seven home runs. His best game came May 13 when he went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and five RBI in UTA's 16-8 win over Texas A&M. -Trae

UTA up 15-7

Still in the bottom of the eighth. Got most of my story done. Let's wrap this up fellas. -Trae

Add on four

Seventh is finally over. UTA put up a four-spot, and leads 13-4. -Trae

Bottom of seventh

Blake Rampy is in to relieve for the Aggies. UTA's up. -Trae

Otteman done

Outstanding performance by the Mavericks starter. Adam Boydston is in to relieve. -Trae

Kiss it goodbye

This game is over.
And one play may have sealed it. Texas A&M got two runners on in the top of the sixth, and Kevin Gonzalez came in to pinch hit. He flew out to right field, and Aggies first baseman Luke Anders went to third, but credit UTA third baseman Evan Raley, who took the throw from right field and threw it to second to get Darby Brown for the second out.  -Trae

UTA leads 9-2

No, it's not a misprint. The Mavericks have scored four runs here in the fifth. The Aggies just went to another reliever, and can't seem to get that third out. -Trae