ARLINGTON, Texas --Senior Tyce Armstrong put together a stellar showing at the plate Wednesday, hitting two home runs, but the UT Arlington Mavericks fell to the Sam Houston Bearkats 9-7.
Freshman Hayes Melville (0-1) came out of the bullpen for UT Arlington (3-6) and took the loss. Junior Anthony Garcia was a bright spot for the Mavericks, starting the ballgame and throwing one scoreless inning, allowing no hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
Armstrong went 2-for-5 at the plate, supplementing his two home runs with four RBIs. Sophomore Xander McAfee added to Armstrong's awesome power-hitting performance by going 2-for-4 with two doubles along with one walk. Junior Xavier Melendez also chipped in for the Mavericks, going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mavericks got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. UT Arlington's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Armstrong.
The Mavericks lost the lead they built in the third, but got back on the board in the seventh trailing 9-4. UT Arlington scored a run when senior Parker Airhart drew a walk from freshman Tate Hickman that scored senior Tate Bethel, which tightened the Bearkats lead to 9-5.
The Mavs kept the Bearkats off the board before narrowing the gap to 9-7 in the eighth. The Mavericks added two to their tally on Armstrong's two-run homer to left. The Mavericks were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» UT Arlington got a two-homer day from Armstrong.
» The Mavs got multiple extra-base hits from both McAfee and Armstrong.
» Armstrong drove in four runs for the Mavericks.
» Mavericks pitchers combined to strike out 12 Sam Houston hitters.
» The Mavs highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» UTA left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Freshman Cade Dodson stole two bases in Wednesday's game.
» UT Arlington went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Maverick pitchers faced 48 Sam Houston hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 12.
» The Mavericks drew 10 walks from Sam Houston pitching.
» Armstrong led the Mavericks at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI.
ON DECK
The Mavs will head to Monroe, Louisiana for a three-game series against the UL-Monroe Warhawks from Mar. 7-9.
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