UTA Falls To DBU
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ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington jumped out to an early lead against No. 15 Dallas Baptist at Horner Ballpark on Tuesday night, but was unable to hold on as the Patriots scored 11 runs in two innings to take control on their way to an 11-5 victory.
“Walks lead to a big inning and that’s what happened,” UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. “You can’t give up five right after you get four, but they’re good. They can swing the bat, but you can’t give them free bases. That’s one of the best offensive teams in the nation and they have a chance to go a long way.”
The Mavericks (20-27) recorded six hits on the night, four of which came in the third inning. The Patriots (37-9) brought in their 12 runs off of 16 hits.
Matt McLean was the lone UTA player to record a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-5 at the plate with one RBI and one run scored. Travis Sibley played a key role for the Mavs with his 1-for-4 effort with two RBI, while crossing the plate once.
Jake Wilcox (1-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up five hits and five earned runs in his 0.2 innings on the mound.
The Mavericks struck first with a four-run third inning. Singles by RJ Williams and McLean to lead off the inning put runners on first and third with no outs. After a strikeout recorded the first out of the inning, Sibley sent a bullet down the left-field line for a
two-RBI double. With runners on the corners later in the inning, Jackson Morris sent a full-count pitch to right field for a RBI double. The DBU right fielder then fumbled the ball, clearing the way for Levi Scott to score and Morris to advance to third.
Dallas Baptist wasted no time in responding in the bottom half of the inning with five runs to take a one-run lead. A pair of two-RBI hits highlighted the scoring spree, before Sibley fielded a ground ball to force a double play to end the inning.
The Patriots exceeded their third inning offensive outburst in the fourth as they pushed across six runs to take an 11-4 lead.
UTA showed signs of life in the sixth inning with a pair of runs to cut the DBU lead to five runs at 11-6. The Mavericks were walked twice with two outs, setting the stage for McLean to deliver with a RBI single to center field. Christian Hollie came up big in the next at bat with a shot through the left side to push across Williams.
Dallas Baptist pushed its final margin of victory to six runs with a solo shot over the left-field wall in the seventh inning.
The Mavericks will return to action this weekend as they host Appalachian State in a three-game series. Tickets are available at UTATickets.com or by calling 817-272-9595.
