Junior shortstop Harold Laracuente hits the ball during a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Laracuente had one run batted in.
UTA baseball (3-9) lost 7-1 to the United States Air Force Academy (3-8) Monday at Clay Gould Ballpark.
“Our guys obviously need a rest, cause they played tired and uninspired, which has to fall on me because when you’re playing the Air Force Academy, you should give every last ounce of effort and pride,” head coach Mike Trapasso said. “That’s our worst effort of the season, and we got some soul searching to do in that clubhouse.”
Junior catcher Clark Springs sprints to first base during a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Springs had one strikeout.
Noah Fields, redshirt junior left fielder, prepares to swing in a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. UTA lost 7-1.
The Mavericks were returning home after winning the first game of their weekend series against the sixth ranked University of Arkansas. The Falcons were reeling from a three-game combined sweep by Oral Roberts University and Dallas Baptist University.
Air Force started scoring immediately, putting two runs on the board before the first out of the day was made, and scored another three before UTA got its first hit.
“The effort on the mound was terrible the first three innings,” Trapasso said. “We basically handed them free 90s with letting them just walk into second base and not being able to control the running game, and that allows guys to score without the benefit of a hit.”
Junior shortstop Harold Laracuente knocked in the sole Maverick run with a line single to right field in the fifth inning, scoring freshman first baseman Zach Evans from second base.
Evans was just one of four Mavericks to tally a hit, joining Laracuente, senior center fielder Xander McAfee and Noah Fields, redshirt junior left fielder.
Zach Mazoch, redshirt junior designated hitter, runs to first base in a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Mazoch had three at bats.
“We weren’t staying to our approach. We were chasing their pitches, and we weren’t staying to our approach and just seeing the ball up,” Evans said.
Air Force extended its lead in the eighth inning with two runs on an RBI double and a wild pitch. UTA could not mount a comeback.
Zach Mazoch, redshirt junior designated hitter, prepares to swing during a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Mazoch had one base on balls.
“We’re a little bit lost offensively right now. That starts with me and getting us going, and we just have to be better,” Trapasso said. “We set the tone on the mound. We’re seeing the pattern develop where we get a couple of guys that just don’t want to attack early in the zone.”
Senior pitcher Kyle Winkler’s outing was the highlight of the day for UTA, as he spent 3.1 innings on the mound, threw a strikeout and gave up only one hit and no runs against 10 batters.
“I’m just very happy coach Trap gave me the opportunity, and he has the confidence in me to let me go out there and pitch,” Winkler said.
UTA will stay home for a weekend set against the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The first game is set for 6 p.m. Friday, and all games will be at Clay Gould Ballpark.
Kyle Winkler, senior left-hand pitcher, pitches during a game against the United States Air Force Academy on March 2 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Winkler had one strikeout.
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