(This is a look back at one of the best performances of the 2023-24 season.) Mar. 15, 2024.

ABILENE, TEXAS – The UT Arlington Maverick baseball team defeated the Abilene Christian Wildcats 12-11 in an astonishing 8-run comeback at Crutcher Scott Field this Friday.
 
In a very windy day, the Mavs got off to a solid start by scoring a run in the top of the 1st thanks to an RBI double which was smoked by Ryan Ellis to left center. With a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 1st inning, the Wildcats absolutely poured it onto the Mavs, scoring 4 runs off of three straight ACU home runs to take a 4-1 lead.
 
In the top of the 2nd inning, the Mavs took a run back due to a solo shot from Tyce Armstrong. The Mavs were able to hold off the Wildcats in the bottom of the 2nd, however, ACU scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings to take a 10-2 lead.
 
Down 8 runs it seemed as if ACU had full control of the game, but that did not deter the Mavs as they flipped a switch and scored 10 runs through the 5th and 8th innings, which eventually won the game.
 
OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
In the top of the 5th inning, Garrison Berkley started off the Maverick comeback with a double, following him was Cason Gregory who was walked which put runners on first and second. Ryan Black then hit a single which loaded the bases for Tyson Pointer, Pointer then blasted a double to right center to plate all three of the Mavs to decrease the deficit 5-10.
 
In the top of the 6th inning, the Mavs plated 2 more runs thanks to back-to-back home run shots from Tyce Armstrong and Parker Airhart to cut the ACU lead down to just 3, however ACU was able to score a run in the bottom of the 6th to draw out its lead 11-7.
 
In the top of the 7th inning, down 4 runs, Pointer reached first with a bunt and Ellis advanced Pointer to second by drawing walk. Tate Bethel was able to bring in both runners with an RBI double to left center to draw just 2 runs away from tying the game, 9-11. After Bethel reached third base on a wild pitch, Berkley hit a ball deep enough into right field to bring in Bethel on a SAC fly to draw within just 1 run of tying the game. With two outs on the board, JD Moreno was able to tie the game at 11 a piece with an RBI single to left field which plated Airhart.
 
In the top of the 8th inning, Pointer came up to bat and absolutely crushed a ball to dead center on the first pitch he saw to propel the Mavs to its first lead of the game since the top of the 1st inning. The Mavs were able to shut down the ACU offense in the bottom of the 8th and 9th to take the first game of the weekend series 12-11.

BOX SCORE NUGGETS

• The Mavs cranked 4 home runs on the day, Tyce Armstrong had two, while Airhart and Pointer accounted for the other two with solo shots.
• The 12 runs scored by UTA are the most in a game this season, besting the 11 runs the team scored in the win against Boston College on Feb. 23.
• Tyson Pointer went 4-for-5 on the night, producing 4 RBIs and 3 runs.

 
PITCHING PROFILE
Collin Horton came in for relief in the top of the 4th inning and was able to strike out 5 batters in the 3.0 innings he pitched. Additionally, Horton allowed just 2 hits out of the 14 batters he faced.
 
Joe Steeber pitched in the 7th inning and was able to record a strikeout and allowed 0 earned runs in his lone inning.
 
Caden Noah, credited with the win, came in at the top of the 8th inning and sat down 3 batters and allowed 0 hits out of the 7 batters he faced. 
 
 
ON DECK
The Mavericks face off against Abilene Christian in the second game of the weekend series tomorrow, Mar. 16 at 3:05 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field in Abilene, Texas.
 
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