MESA, Ariz. –The UT Arlington Mavericks rallied back from an early four-run deficit against the Grand Canyon Lopes to advance to the semifinals of the WAC Baseball Tournament, 9-7.
Sophomore Nicholas Robb got the win for UT Arlington (21-32). The right-hander went 7.0 innings, giving up seven runs, three unearned, on thirteen hits, allowing just one walk and striking out a lone batter. Senior Caden Noah recorded his fifth save on the season with a 2.0 inning gem that featured three strikeouts and one hit.
Offensively, the Mavs poured it onto the Lopes with 16 hits throughout the elimination game, led by Xander McAfee's three-hit day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mavericks got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Lopes offense answered back immediately and scored six runs throughout the next two innings to take a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
The Mavericks gained a run back in the bottom of the third behind an RBI single from Cade Dodson, and Xavier Melendez blasted a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Mavericks deficit to just two runs.
In the fifth inning, the Mavs had two outs on the board with no one on base after a stolen base challenge from GCU was successful. However, the Mavs flipped a switch and scored a 5-spot in the inning off six straight hits to take a 9-6 lead.
UT Arlington held the Lopes to just one run on four hits throughout the rest of the game to advance to the semifinals portion of the losers bracket.
GAME NOTES
» McAfee collected three hits on the day for UT Arlington.
» Noah picked up his fifth save of the season.
» The Mavericks power output was led by Melendez, who picked up a homerun and three RBI.
» UT Arlington's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed five runs across on two-out hitting.
» UT Arlington grabbed a 9-6 lead in the bottom half of the fifth and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Seven Mavericks had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Mavericks had a total of 16 hits.
» The Mavericks out-hit the Texans at a 16-14 clip.
» UT Arlington went 11-for-19 (.579) with two outs.
ON DECK
With a win, the Mavs advanced to the semifinals portion of the losers bracket to face No. 2 Abilene Christian on May 23 at 5 p.m. CT. The winner of that game will face off against the loser of Sacramento State and Utah Valley matchup at 9 p.m. CT for the final spot in the WAC Championship.
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Latest Baseball News
- Rice Named Assistant CoachARLINGTON, Texas – Tyler Rice, a native of Mesa, AZ, will join the UT Arlington staff as an assistant coach after spending the previous season as a the Director of Player Development during the 2025 season.
- Rupp Joins UTA Baseball StaffARLINGTON, Texas – Cameron Rupp, a former catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, will join the UT Arlington staff as an assistant coach after spending the 2024-25 season at Blinn Community College.
- Mavs Eliminated From WAC TournamentMESA, 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.
- Mavs Fall To Utah Valley In First RoundMESA, Ariz. --An explosive offensive output was not enough for UT Arlington on Wednesday. The Mavericks put up seven runs, but could not hold the Utah Valley Wolverines at bay, and were defeated 17-7.
- Mavs Dominate Texans To Open WAC TournamentMESA, Ariz. --Junior Xavier Melendez racked up four hits to help lead the UT Arlington Mavericks over the Tarleton State Texans 10-1 on Tuesday to advance to the double elimination portion of the bracket.
- Armstrong, Melendez Selected To All-Conference TeamARLINGTON, TEXAS – UT Arlington's Tyce Armstrong and Xavier Melendez were named to the All-WAC Second Team. Conference officials announced Monday. Armstrong earned Secon Team honors as a DH, while Melendez earned Second Team honors as a first baseman.
