UTA Completes Sweep Of WKU

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ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington completed a series sweep with Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 victory over WKU at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The Mavericks improved to 27-25 overall and 16-11 in the Sun Belt, clinching a winning record in league play and moving into a tie for third place with Texas State. UTA has won 11 of its last 13 games, and is 15-6 in conference since a 1-5 start.

“It was a good weekend for us,” Thomas said. “We’re playing good at the right time of the year. We have a chance at moving up in the seeding a little bit.”

The Mavericks play their final nonconference game Tuesday night at TCU. The last Sun Belt series of season begins Thursday against Texas State at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Derek Miller (4-for-5) delivered the game-winning hit with two outs in the eighth after the Hilltoppers rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game. McLemore, opened the inning with a walk, scored the go-ahead run on

Miller’s single to left. Ryan Bottger followed with a single to score Eric Tate for a two-run cushion going into the ninth.

UTA starter Zach Thompson took a no-hitter into the seventh, but didn’t get the decision after the Hilltoppers rallied for three runs with two outs. After a sharp single to left by David Simmons ended the no-hit bid, Hunter Wood crushed a three-run homer to right-center to tie the game.

With the game tied 3-3, the Hilltoppers (27-25, 13-14) were in position to take the lead after Leiff Clarkson opened the top of the eighth with a double off UTA reliever Jacob Moreland.

Keegan Hucul (1-0) picked up the win after coming on for Moreland and not allowing Clarkson to get past third. Chad Nack worked a scoreless ninth for UTA to earn his third save.

“Everybody on the mound did a good job,” Thomas said. “We didn’t walk anybody. We got some timely hit when we needed. We played outstanding defense, especially in the infield.”

UT Arlington staked Thompson to a 3-0 lead in the third thanks to two hits and a WKU error. Eric Tate and Travis Sibley opened the inning with singles to start the rally.

A bad throw to first scored Tate and Sibley came home on a fielder’s choice. John Michael Twichell had a sacrifice fly to plate Miller.