ARLINGTON – A season after making it to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals, the UT Arlington baseball team will look to reload, beginning with the battery. While the Mavericks lost it's Friday and Saturday starters from a season ago, many familiar faces will return to the mound in 2022.
 
"We've got a lot of innings back on the mound," said Head Coach Darin Thomas. "There's some quality guys who had a really good fall."
 
While roles have not been cemented by the staff, there is tremendous depth as nearly 55 percent of the innings pitched from a season ago return.
 
Leading the returners is senior David Moffat, who pitched in every Sunday game a season ago.  Moffat finished with a 3.91 ERA across 73.2 innings pitched in 2022. He's been no stranger in the starting rotation, making 37 starts across four seasons with the Mavericks.
 
"Moffat improved this fall with his location and pitch ability," said Thomas. "I look for him to have a good year."
 
While he's the only regular starter returning, Thomas ensures that relievers are just as vital to the ball club.
 
"Starter, reliever, they're all important," said Thomas. "A lot of games are won in the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th inning and if you've got a guy that can come in and keep the lead for you then you're in good shape."
 
Two of those all-important relievers will be Michael Wong and Tanner King. The two senior righties combined for 77.2 innings and 45 appearances out of the bullpen last season.
 
King led the Mavericks with a 2.39 ERA and finished with 46 strikeouts in just 37.2 IP (11.0 k/9). The Seward County product also finished with four saves and a 3-0 record on the season, while holding opposing hitters to a .193 clip.
 
Wong led UTA in saves, finishing with five on year. The Las Vegas native finished the season with a 3.38 ERA and walked just five batters across 40.0 innings, while striking out 31 batters.
 
The Mavericks added four pitchers in Sam Collins (Weatherford College), Connery Peters (Wichita State), Hunter Marshall (Keller HS), Gray Bailey (Mountain Ridge HS), and Joe Steeber (Hill JC).
 
Behind the plate, the Mavericks will be inexperienced, but Thomas will look for the catchers to once again be strong defensively.
 
"Catching will be a key to the club this season," said Thomas. "Their bats are in good shape, but we really want to hone their defensive skill. We've always leaned on great defensive catchers."
 
With the departure of Sam Gotlieb and Andrew Miller, the three catchers vying for playing time will be returning sophomore Sam Crowell and transfers Artie Ramirez (New Orleans) and Cade Sumbler (Oklahoma State).
 
Crowell was primarily used as a pinch hitter during his freshman campaign and made four starts at designated hitter. As a freshman he held an on-base percentage of .375 and drove in three runs. Ramirez and Sumbler both redshirted at their respective schools.
 
The Mavericks are set to open the season on Friday, Feb. 18 with a four-game home stand against Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Feb. 18-20) and Michigan (Feb. 21).
 
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