UTA-MSU Stats | UTA-HBU Stats | UTA-MSU Photos

By Paul Watley | @WatP7

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington wrapped up the final day of the UTA Hilton Invitational with a split after facing Michigan State and Houston Baptist at Clay Gould Ballpark on Saturday.

"I thought overall it was a good weekend winning two out of three," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "I thought we pitched it extremely well. We had a shutout, gave up one run against Michigan State and gave up two runs in the second game and that's as good as you can ask for."

The Mavericks hit .200 on the day while recording 13 hits and five runs. Freshman Christian Hollie stepped up his game on the final day of the invitational, registering a .429 BA with three hits, one double and one triple. Hollie served as a catalyst for the Mavericks offense against Michigan State, going 2-of-3 at the plate with one run.

UTA also received strong support from their pitching staff, allowing only three runs. Brad Vassar picked up his first career win against Michigan State when he went six innings with five hits and one earned run while striking out two batters. In the second game of the day, Reid Petty made it through four innings on the mound while giving up four hits, one earned run and striking out five HBU batters.

UT Arlington 3, Michigan State 1

The Mavericks took a lead in third inning against Michigan State when a throwing error by the Spartans made room for Christian Hollie to score from second base while putting Travis Sibley on first. In the next at bat, Levi Scott hit a single to left field and was able to reach second on an error by the right fielder. Sibley was also able to score on the play, reaching home on the errant throw by the right fielder.

Michigan State made things interesting in the fourth inning as they combined a double with a ground out to put a runner on third base with one out, but the Spartans were only able to come away with one run when MSU recorded a sacrifice fly and a pop fly to end the inning.

Looking to be in control of the game heading into the ninth inning, UTA was feeling the pressure as relief pitcher Colin Tornberg had the bases loaded with one out on the board. However, Tornberg and the Mavs got out of that jam when a ground ball to Darien McLemore at second allowed the junior infielder to tag out one runner and make the throw to first, completing the game with UTA on top 3-1.

The Mavericks scored their three runs on seven hits with two errors while the Spartans registered one run on seven hits with three errors committed.

Houston Baptist 2, UT Arlington 1

Houston Baptist got on the board first in the second inning when an error by the Mavericks cleared the way for the Huskies to score from third and take a one-run lead.

With Christian Hollie at the plate and two outs on the board in the third inning, Hollie hit his first career triple to bring Eric Tate in from second and tie the game at one run apiece.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Houston Baptist regained control of the game in the sixth inning when a double to left center brought in another runner for the Huskies.

Sibley led off the ninth inning with a single to center field that was followed up with a strike out and a pop fly, bringing freshman RJ Williams to the plate with two outs. Williams kept the game alive with his single up the middle, but the Mavericks struck out in the next at bat, giving the Mavs their fourth loss of the season with a 2-1 decision.

UTA recorded one run on six hits with two errors while Houston Baptist put up two runs on nine hits while committing one error.

The Mavericks will return to action on Feb. 25 against Abilene Christian with first pitch at Clay Gould Ballpark set for 6:30 pm.