ARLINGTON, Texas – The UT Arlington Mavericks return to Clay Gould Ballpark this week to open Western Athletic Conference play with a three-game home series against Tarleton, beginning Thursday night. First pitch for the conference opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.
UTA enters the weekend at 11–16 following a home sweep of Villanova, while Tarleton comes in at 20–8. The Mavericks will look to carry their recent momentum into league play and start the conference slate on a strong note at home.
GAME INFO
OPPONENT: Tarleton (20–8)
WHEN: April 2–4
WHERE: Arlington, Texas | Clay Gould Ballpark
WATCH + FOLLOW: ESPN+ | Live stats available via UTAMavs.com
GAME NOTES
UT Arlington's lineup is led by
Xavier Melendez, who enters the series hitting .360 with 41 hits, six doubles, three home runs and 23 RBIs, posting a .491 slugging percentage across 26 starts.
Austin Phillips adds a .299 average with 26 hits, five doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs, while
Harold Laracuente is batting .304 with 31 hits, nine doubles, a triple and 23 runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
Behind them,
Xander McAfee is hitting .269 with 28 hits, seven doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs in 27 games, and
Preston Knott has contributed a .238 average with 19 hits and seven RBIs while going 5-for-6 in stolen bases.
Zach Mazoch has chipped in 22 hits and 14 RBIs, and catcher
Ethan Ho is hitting .274 with 17 hits and eight RBIs, giving the Mavericks depth throughout the order as they head into conference play.
On the mound,
Caylon Dygert continues to anchor the rotation with a 2.08 ERA over seven starts, working 43.1 innings with 30 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .213 average. Out of the bullpen,
Kyle Winkler (2.49 ERA in 21.2 innings) and
Merek Sears (3.28 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 24.2 innings) have provided steady relief options, while
Hayes Melville (3.50 ERA, two saves) gives UTA another trusted late-inning arm.
UTA will look to carry its home-field momentum and recent sweep into Thursday's WAC opener against the Texans.
-#BuckEm-
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