SAN MARCOS, Texas – Zac Cook launched a 2-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Mavs an important 5-3 win at Texas State on Thursday night at Bobcat Ballpark.

WIth the win, UTA improves to 31-22 overall and 17-10 in conference, while Texas State dropped to 34-18 on the season and 18-10 in SBC play. The Mavs are now a 1/2 game behind Texas State for first place in the SBC West Division. A sweep of Saturday's doubleheader will give UTA the division title.

A half inning after Texas State erased a one-run deficit to tie the game at three apiece, Zac Cook stepped to the plate with one out and a man on base. Four pitches in, Cook hit a two-run bomb to right field that scored Connor Aube and proved to be the game-winning runs.
 
The Mavs went into the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. Texas State wasted no time tying the game up when Skyler Valentine sent the third pitch of the inning over the left center field wall.
 
Aube (2-for-4) made his presence felt right off the bat, singling to start the game. Two batters later, he stole home to give UTA a 1-0 lead. Anthony Dominguez then hit a single to bring Cook home for the Mavs' second run of the opening inning.
 
Texas State tied the game with a run in both the second and third innings.
 
Dylan Paul (2-for-2) hit UTA's first home run of the game with a solo shot in the top of the fourth that gave the Mavs a 3-2 lead.
 
Drew Gooch left the game with a 3-2 lead after six innings. He also got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. Andrew Gross (2-2), the nation's leader in saves (17), picked up the win, in 1.1 innings of work.
 
Friday sees the squads conclude the series with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
 
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