March 30, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas - For the second time this week UT Arlington needed extra innings to decide a home game. And once again the Mavericks pulled it out.

UTA rallied from a run down in the bottom of the 10th to beat Central Arkansas 9-8 Friday night in the opener of a three-game Southland Conference series.

The Mavericks snapped a four-game league losing streak by following nearly the same script as Tuesday's 4-3 victory over TCU. UTA was also trailing by a run going into its final at-bat before scoring twice to outlast the Horned Frogs.

The deciding inning began with Michael Guerra getting hit by a pitch. Brent Bollinger came in to pinch run and advanced to third on Preston Morrow's chopper that ate up UCA second baseman Kraig Kelley.

Bollinger came home on Matt Shortall's sacrifice fly to center. Greg McCall walked and Stewart Hill singled to load the bases. Philip Incaviglia followed with another chopper to second that couple have been an inning-ending double play, but shortstop Blake Marchal bobbled the ball before the throw and Morrow crossed the plate for the UTA victory.

Kennedy Winn (2-1) picked up the win in relief. Jordan Vaughn was 4 for 4 with two RBI for the Mavericks. Shortall and Incaviglia also drove in two runs.

Bryce Bollinger (1-2) took the loss to the Bears despite not giving up an earned run in 2.2 innings in relief.

The Mavericks improved 15-11 overall and 4-6 in the SLC. Central Arkansas is 11-12 and 5-5.

The series resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. with the finale Saturday at 1 p.m.