MESA, Ariz. --The UT Arlington Mavericks took a 7-6 lead into the eighth inning, but could not hang on and fell 9-7 to the Abilene Christian Wildcats Friday.
Junior Anthony Garcia (0-2) took the loss on the mound for UT Arlington (21-33). Freshman Tyler Zahradnik was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 7.2 innings, surrendering three runs, two earned, on six hits, walking none and striking out seven.
At the plate, the Mavericks were led by senior Tyce Armstrong, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Junior Jake Martinez put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Junior Xavier Melendez also contributed for UT Arlington, putting together one hit in five trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mavericks were trailing 5-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. UT Arlington plated two runs when Armstrong left the yard with Melendez aboard.
The Wildcats expanded their lead to 6-2 before the Mavericks offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the second. UT Arlington picked up a run on Martinez's leadoff home run off of sophomore Cade McGarrh, which tightened the Wildcats lead to 6-3.
UT Arlington held the Wildcats off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 6-4 in the third. The Mavericks scored a run on Melendez's one-out solo home run off McGarrh.
UT Arlington kept the Wildcats off the board before tying it up in the sixth. Martinez's run-scoring single brought home one run in a two-run output for the Mavericks, evening the score at 6-6.
That 6-6 tie turned into a 7-6 Mavericks lead in the seventh. UT Arlington pushed across a run on senior Tate Bethel's two-out RBI double. The Mavericks were unable to hold the lead, as Abilene Christian scored three times over the remaining two innings to grab the 9-7 win.
GAME NOTES
» UT Arlington's power output was led by Armstrong, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» UT Arlington's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Mavericks took Abilene Christian pitchers deep three times on Friday.
» UT Arlington pitchers faced 40 Abilene Christian hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out eight.
» Armstrong led the Mavericks at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs.
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