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ARLINGTON, Texas – The UT Arlington Mavericks return home for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series against Utah Tech beginning Friday at Clay Gould Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
UTA enters the weekend at 16-27 overall and 5-7 in WAC play, while Utah Tech comes in at 29-19 and 6-6 in conference action. Former UTA quarterback Mike Baylor will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s series opener. Baylor starred as the Mavericks’ quarterback and earned MVP honors in the 1967 Pecan Bowl before being enshrined in the UTA Hall of Honor in 1987 and receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.
GAME INFO
OPPONENT: Utah Tech (29-19, 6-6 WAC)
WHEN: Friday, May 8 (6 p.m.) | Saturday, May 9 (2 p.m.) | Sunday, May 10 (12 p.m.)
WHERE: Arlington, Texas | Clay Gould Ballpark
WATCH + FOLLOW: ESPN+ | Live stats available via UTAMavs.com
GAME NOTES
Senior infielder Xavier Melendez continues to anchor the Maverick offense with a .362 average, 63 hits, nine doubles and six home runs to go with 41 RBIs and a .517 slugging percentage across 41 starts.
On the mound, sophomore Merek Sears leads the staff with a 3.09 ERA across 20 appearances, working 43.2 innings with 40 strikeouts and two saves. Junior Hayes Melville has posted a 3.25 ERA with four saves over 21 appearances, and junior right-hander Caylon Dygert continues to anchor the rotation with a 3.86 ERA over 11 starts, working 65.1 innings with 42 strikeouts.
Around the diamond, Harold Laracuente (.292, 45 hits, 35 runs scored), Xander McAfee (.265, 41 hits, six home runs, 36 RBIs) and Hank Harp (.354, 23 hits) give the Mavericks a productive and experienced core, with depth provided by contributors such as Preston Knott, Austin Phillips, Noah Fields and others as UTA continues conference play.
-#BuckEm-
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