April 10, 2012
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Timely hitting and gutty pitching proved the perfect recipe Tuesday night in UT Arlington's stunning 3-2 upset over No. 2 Texas A&M at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The Mavericks rode five shutout innings from the bullpen to win for the eighth time in the last nine games and improve to 21-12 on the season. The Aggies fell 26-7 and had their four-game winning streak against UTA snapped.
"We had 13 hits and against a great pitching team," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "We played in a very tough environment and rose to the challenge. I don't know if we could play any better. I'm so proud of the team."
UTA responded to an early deficit with a two-run fourth. Michael Guerra, Preston Morrow and Matt Shortall loaded the bases to open the inning, with a walk and two singles, respectively. Greg McCall drove Guerra home with a single through the right side and Jake Pinchback followed with a sacrifice fly.
The Mavericks tacked on another run in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. Guerra again was a catalyst with a double down the line in left and scored on Morrow's hit up the middle.
Adam Westbrook made his first start of the season for UTA and battled for four innings. The senior lefty, who had pitched only 12 innings this season, allowed two runs on five hits, and left with a 3-2 lead.
The Mavericks 'pen took it from there. Chase Weaver followed with 2.2 scoreless innings, but needed some help from Chad Nack in the seventh.
The Aggies had two runners on with two outs with Weaver was replaced by Nack, who gave up a hit to load the bases. Nack settled down and left all three stranded after coaxing a ground out to second. He nearly closed out the win, but was lifted after giving up a two-out walk in the ninth.
Thomas called on Adam Boydston to close it out, and the lefthander got a pop out from Jacob House to end it.
"Great job by the whole staff," Thomas said. "Adam made his first start and Weaver came in and hung three zeroes. Chad and Boydston also did their jobs. We played great defense and (Greg McCall) made a great throw in the eighth."
McCall's threw out A&M runner Blake Allemand to end the eighth.
The Aggies were the fourth Big 12 victim on the schedule for UTA this season. The Mavericks had already beaten Texas, Oklahoma and Baylor.
The Mavericks' busy week continues with Wednesday night's trip across Tarrant County to TCU. UTA beat the Horned Frogs 4-3 in 10 innings last month at Clay Gould Ballpark.
