WACO – On a gusty Tuesday night at Baylor Ballpark, the UT Arlington baseball team (8-16) fell to the Baylor Bears in a high-scoring game 15-9.
Cade Citelli (L, 0-3) started for the Mavs, lasting 1.1 innings while allowing eight runs off four hits.
David Moffat (2.2 IP) and
Trevor Pruitt (1.0 IP) allowed three runs in relief.
Joe Steeber made his UTA and collegiate debut in the sixth inning, putting the Bears down in order in his lone inning on the mound.
Connery Peters (1 ER) and
Jack Hagan tossed the final two innings.
The Mavericks finished with 11 hits in the game, led by
Oscar Ponce's 4-for-5 day at the plate, which also included a team-high four RBI.
Tyler Rice also had a multi-RBI day, driving in three runs for the Mavericks.
The Bears got going in the second inning, using the nearly 30 MPH wind to their advantage as they connected on two home runs and a deep double to plate eight runs.
The Mavericks got one back in the next frame, loading the bases with a walk and two hit batters before Ponce was walked to score a run. UTA was unable to capitalize on more runs, however, leaving the bases juiced following a strikeout and ground out.
With runners on first and second in the next inning,
David VanVooren connected on a stand-up double to left center to plate another run for the Mavericks. Following a walk to load the bases, Ponce connected on a single to the same spot in the field to score two more runs.
The Bears would equal the run total in the bottom frame, however, scoring three runs off three hits
In the bottom of the fifth, Baylor took a double-digit lead by scoring three runs – with only one being earned.
UTA loaded the bases again in the sixth inning, scoring three runs off back-to-back singles from Cavanagh and
Tyler Rice.
With two outs and runners at first and second in the bottom of the second, Baylor used a single through the right side of the infield to add one run to its lead.
The Mavericks added one run in the top of the ninth as
Oscar Ponce connected on his first home run of the season to make the score 15-9.
The Mavericks will return to Clay Gould Ballpark this weekend to take on ULM in a three-game series (April 1-3).
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