After dropping the first two games of the UTA/Hilton Invitational, the UT Arlington baseball team built an early lead over Illinois on Sunday and saved its weekend with a pair of wins over the Illini and Houston Baptist, getting back on track with four Big 12 teams on the horizon.
As No. 10 Oklahoma comes to Clay Gould Ballpark at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, coach Darin Thomas said it was well-deserved considering his Mavericks were only a hit away from winning Friday’s 7-6 loss to Houston Baptist.“We had a man on third with nobody out but we couldn’t get him home,” he said. “It was just a loss, but it was tough to power through.”That’s what made Brad Vachon’s Sunday start so big. He pitched six scoreless innings that let his team get a big lead. He scuffled in the seventh and the Illini tied it up, but the Mavericks came back and won. Vachon began his Mavericks career with 18 scoreless innings.“He deserved to win that game pitching into the seventh inning,” Thomas said. “Right now, he’s our best guy.”The Mavericks won’t bother throwing out their best guy against the Sooners, but it isn’t because of their powerful lineup. Thomas usually makes his midweek games a spot-start game, sending a good reliever to get UTA as deep as he can.That guy Tuesday is Chase Weaver, who has allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings over four appearances. He’ll have to get past Matt Oberste, who’s hitting .444 with four homers, and the Oklahoma lineup that’s hitting .311 as a team.More information
UTA vs. No. 10 Oklahoma
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Clay Gould Ballpark
LHP Chase Weaver vs. LHP Ethan Carnes
Records: UTA 7-4; Oklahoma 11-1
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