ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington erased a four-run deficit with a dramatic ninth-inning rally but fell 5-4 in 10 innings to Lamar on Saturday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark.
The Mavericks were held scoreless through eight innings despite putting traffic on the bases throughout the afternoon. UTA finished with nine hits and left 13 runners on base, including multiple missed scoring opportunities in the middle innings.
Xavier Melendez led the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, including two doubles and an RBI, while
Xander McAfee added two doubles of his own.
Trailing 4-0 entering the ninth, the Mavericks capitalized on control issues from Lamar's bullpen to mount a furious comeback. UTA scored four runs on just two hits in the inning, drawing a walk and being hit by four pitches.
Larry Haskins drove in the first run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Melendez followed with an RBI single, and
Zach Mazoch added a run on a fielder's choice before
Noah Fields tied the game after being hit by a pitch. The rally ultimately ended with the tying and go-ahead runners stranded.
Lamar answered in the top of the 10th with an RBI double to regain the lead, and UTA was unable to respond in the bottom half.
PITCHING PROFILE
- Ty Zahradnik started and worked four innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four. Landon Murphy added two innings in relief, giving up one run and striking out three.
- The Cardinals extended their lead in the seventh before Danny Valadez stabilized the game with 1.1 scoreless innings and three strikeouts.
- UTA pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts while limiting Lamar to 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
ON DECK
UT Arlington closes its three-game series against Lamar on Sunday at Clay Gould Ballpark.
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