ARLINGTON, Texas – Both starting pitchers were on their games, allowing a combined three hits through nine innings. But a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th plated the lone run of the game for UT Arlington as the Mavericks defeat Little Rock 1-0 in the opening game of the series.
Trojan starter
Hayden Arnold went 7.2 innings and scattered three hits with a walk and two strikeouts, hurling 106 pitches. He was countered by UTA starter Carlos Tavera going 9.0 innings and allowing no hits with 11 strikeouts and three walks.
Little Rock got a runner in scoring position in the top of the first as
Tyler Williams reached on a walk and stole second, but the Mavericks would then retire 19 of the next 20 Trojan batters.
In the eighth,
Noah Dickerson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a groundout, but he was the only other Trojan batter to get into scoring position.
Jake Wright also drew a walk, marking the lone Little Rock baserunners on the day.
UT Arlington's staff combined to no-hit the Trojans, retiring 33 of the 36 Little Rock batters they faced with 14 strikeouts. The Mavericks got the game's lone run courtesy of a pair of singles and a wild pitch to advance the runners to third, then a sacrifice fly to right brought the game-winning run across the plate.
Games two and three of the series are scheduled for Sunday afternoon as part of a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m.
Aaron Funk will take the mound for Little Rock, with
Jack DeCooman slated for the second game of the day, tentatively slated for a 5 p.m. start.
#LittleRocksTeam
