ARLINGTON — Ryan Walker's walk-off RBI single in the ninth propelled UT Arlington to a 2-1 victory against UTSA on Friday night at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Roadrunners (6-14, 0-4 SLC) dropped their seventh consecutive game, their longest drought in more than six seasons.
The Mavericks (11-7, 3-1 SLC) put back-to-back runners on base against senior reliever Kevin Clarke to start the decisive inning. Daniel Jordan started the frame with a sharp single up the middle and Philip Incaviglia laid down a bunt, which was fielded by Clarke, but his throw to second was late. Walker then stroked an 0-2 fastball from the UTSA right-hander into center for the game-winning RBI.
Clarke (0-3), who relieved junior southpaw starter Casey Selsor, was saddled with the loss, while Michael Morales (2-0) picked up the win after retiring the last two hitters of the ninth.
UTSA took an early 1-0 lead in the first when a sacrifice fly by sophomore Daniel Rockett plated freshman Riley Good, who doubled to lead off the game.
UT Arlington tied the contest in the eighth.
Selsor plunked Preston Beck to start the stanza and, after Chad Comer laid down a sacrifice bunt, Beck moved to third on a wild pitch. Selsor walked Jordan Vaughn to put runners on the corners before being lifted in favor of Clarke. Brian Nephew then hit a sharp grounder that sophomore Ryan Dalton was unable to handle at third base, which allowing Beck to score the equalizer.
The Mavericks tried to take the lead later in the inning, but a great double play turned by senior right fielder Tyler Carpenter, junior second baseman Matthew James and junior catcher Colby Braddock thwarted the rally.
Jake Pinchback doubled off the wall in the right-center gap and both runners on base were waved home. Carpenter quickly tossed the ball to James, who threw to the plate on one hop, where Braddock tagged both Vaughn and Nephew, which ended the inning.
The Roadrunners had chances to score in both the seventh and eighth, but they stranded a runner at third base in both instances.
Selsor registered his second quality start in his last three outings but recieved a no-decision. He allowed a run on five hits, walked and struck out four in 7.1 innings.
Lance Day worked 8.1 innings and gave up one run on a half dozen hits and three walks, while fanning four.
UT Arlington was led by Walker's 3-for-5 performance, while Good went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
The series continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
