Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

Arlington, Texas – UT Arlington snapped its 10-game losing streak on Thursday night when the Mavericks defeated No. 25 Texas State, 6-5, at Clay Gould Ballpark to help keep their postseason hopes alive.

The Mavericks, who need to win at least two-of-three this weekend to have a chance to earn a spot in next week's Southland Conference Tournament, took advantage of an early Texas State error to score five runs in the second inning and help propel them to a one-run victory.

Texas State, which has already secured the No. 1 seed in the SLC Tournament, dropped to 34-19 overall and 23-8 in the Southland Conference despite out-hitting the home team, 12-9.

UT Arlington improved to 26-28 overall and 14-17 in the SLC with the win.

Tyler Sibley led off the ballgame with a single to left, and three batters, Casey Kalenkosky singled sharply to center field to bring home the second baseman for a 1-0 score before the Mavericks came to bat.

The Bobcats would only hold the lead for an inning though as the Mavericks capitalized on a Texas State error to score five runs, four of which were unearned, and take a 5-1 lead after two innings.

That score would remain until the top of the fifth inning when Texas State pushed a pair of runs across the plate for a 5-3 score. A single from Bret Atwood started the inning before Kyle Kubitza walked to put a pair of runners on with no outs. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base, and Kalenkosky flied out to the warning track in center field to allow Atwood to score easily from third base. Andrew Stumph then came up and hit the first pitch he saw to center field for a single to bring home Kubitza and cut the Bobcat deficit to two runs.

Texas State continued to chip away at its deficit in the top of the seventh when Jeff McVaney singled to left field and bring home Kubitza from third base for a 5-4 score.

The Mavericks put together a two-out rally in the eighth inning that resulted in an insurance run that proved to be the game winner after the Bobcats scored one in the top of the ninth inning for a 6-5 final score. McVaney doubled to the right-field line to bring home the Bobcats' fifth run of the game and put the potential tying run in scoring position, but Maverick reliever Collin Reynolds induced a groundball out for the final out of the game.

Texas State starter Mitchell Pitts (5-2) lost for just the second time this season after he allowed two earned runs over 7 2/3 innings on the mound. He struck out three and walked one.

UT Arlington starter Lance Day (4-7) won his fourth game this season after allowing four runs in seven innings. He struck out three and walked three. Reynolds came in to earn his second save of the season.

At the plate, McVaney and Stumph led Texas State with three hits apiece. McVaney drove in two runs, and Stumph knocked in one. Kalenkosky (1-for-4) had a pair of RBIs and Kubitza (1-for-3) scored two runs.