MESA, Ariz. – UT Arlington opens the Western Athletic Conference Tournament with a first-round matchup against Utah Tech on Wednesday at Hohokam Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
UTA enters the tournament at 19-30 overall and 8-10 in WAC play. Utah Tech comes in at 33-22 (10-8 WAC). The two programs met two weeks ago at Clay Gould Ballpark, with the Mavericks taking the series two games to one. UTA closed it out on Senior Day when
Hank Harp delivered a walk-off three-run home run in the 11th inning.
A win Wednesday sends UTA into Thursday's quarterfinals against California Baptist. A loss puts the Mavericks in an elimination game Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against the loser of Sacramento State and Abilene Christian.
GAME INFO
OPPONENT: Utah Tech (33-22, 10-8 WAC)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Mesa, Arizona | Hohokam Stadium
WATCH + FOLLOW: ESPN+ | Live stats available via UTAMavs.com
GAME NOTES
Senior infielder
Xavier Melendez leads the Maverick offense with a .355 average, 72 hits, 11 doubles, five home runs and 39 RBIs while posting a .483 slugging percentage across 47 starts.
Hank Harp has hit .343 with 34 hits and 14 RBIs, and
Harold Laracuente brings a .302 average with 54 hits, 15 doubles and 22 RBIs into the postseason.
Xander McAfee (.270, 48 hits, seven home runs, 41 RBIs) and
Preston Knott (.269, 39 hits, five home runs, 20 RBIs) give UTA additional power in the middle of the lineup, with
Clark Springs,
Noah Fields and
Austin Phillips rounding out a lineup capable of producing runs in bunches.
On the mound,
Hayes Melville leads the staff with a 2.86 ERA and five saves over 24 appearances, while
Merek Sears has posted a 3.31 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 49.0 innings. Junior right-hander
Caylon Dygert anchors the rotation at 3.82 ERA over 13 starts, logging 77.2 innings with 56 strikeouts — a stretch that included a shutout of Utah Tech on May 8 and earned him WAC Pitcher of the Week honors.
-#BuckEm-
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