Islanders drop game three to UTA, 7-3

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi baseball program (2-1, 0-0 Southland) faltered for the first time this season in today's game three matchup with UT-Arlington (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt), dropping a 7-3 decision to the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon at Chapman Field. After falling in consecutive games to start the year, UTA leaned on its offense early, notching runs in both the first and fourth frames. Similar to Saturday's game two, the Islanders responded with a multi-run fourth, but some clutch pitching and a strong seventh inning from the Mavericks sealed the eventual 7-3 loss. 

KEY INNINGS
Top | 1st
- A pair of doubles from Aube and Cook generated a quick run for the Mavericks, and a groundout RBI combined with an error plated two more for an early 3-0 advantage.

Top | 4th
- Another double from Cook followed by an eventual sacrifice fly posted another run for UTA, now up 4-0.

Bottom | 4th
- The Islanders' offense woke up to start the fourth, as junior Itchy Burts reached on an infield bunt to kick off the frame.
- Senior Nick Anderson brought Burts home the ensuing at-bat, jacking a double down the left-field line.
- After Joey Werner advanced Anderson on a groundout to second, junior Drake Osborn closed the gap down to two behind an RBI single into left field.
- With the bases loaded following a pair of singles from Mike Williams and Andriud Martinez, sophomore Steven Rivera-Chijin secured an RBI walk to send Osborn home and cut the Mavericks' advantage down to just one.

Top | 7th
- Clinging to a one-run lead entering the seventh, UT-Arlington's Minjarez opted to extend that advantage with a home run to open the frame. A pair of errors from the pitcher and a sacrifice fly scored both Montgomery and Aube, pushing the Mavericks back out to a four-score edge.

ON THE MOUND
- Alabama graduate transfer Dylan Duarte took the starting role on the hill for the first time in his Islanders career, posting a team-high four strikeouts with three runs across 5.0 innings of work.
- Junior David Worrell and sophomore Zach Rumfield handled the Mavericks for a combined three frames, surrendering three hits for three runs with a trio of strikeouts.
- Lastly, freshman Tyler Miller recorded his collegiate debut as he wrapped up the ninth, retiring the side with a flyout to center field and a pair strikeouts.

COMING UP NEXT
Up two games to one on the Mavericks thus far, the Islanders aim to clinch the season-opening series against UT-Arlington with a victory on Monday afternoon, first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Chapman Field.

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