CONWAY, Ark –  The University of Central Arkansas baseball team dropped the series opener to UT Arlington by the score of 11-2 at Bear Stadium on Friday night. The Mavericks outhit the Bears 13-9 and took advantage of UCA’s five errors. With the win, UTA improved to 20-17 overall and 12-7 in Southland Conference play, while UCA falls to 16-18 and 8-11.

The Mavericks scored four runs in the top of the third on four hits. Third baseman Evan Raley led off the inning with a walk and was bunted over to second. Collin Garner and Matt Otteman also singled to load the bases. Designated hitter Andrew Kainer drove in Raley with a base hit for the first run of the game. Catcher Chad Comer made the game 4-0 with a bases clearing double to left field.

UTA expanded the lead to 5-0 in the top of the seventh when Garner reached on a hit, stole second base and was driven in by Otteman on a single to right field.

Maverick starter Ryan Robinson (4-1) only allowed five hits in seven shutout innings, but the Bears finally got to him in the bottom of the eighth. Junior center fielder Tye Throneberry led off the frame with a double, followed by a single by shortstop Bobby Pritchett. Left fielder Zack Dickson plated Throneberry with a base hit for the Bears’ first run. Senior right fielder Dillon Smith drove in Pritchett with a two-out single to right field, chasing Robinson. Reliever Adam Boydston struck out Jonathan Yerby to get out of the jam.

UTA scored six insurance runs in the top of the ninth on four hits and three errors, putting the game out of reach at 11-2.

UCA starter Jeremy Cloud (4-4) went eight innings, allowing nine hits, five runs and a walk while striking out six in the losing effort.

Otteman and Garner recorded three hits each for the Mavericks and Comer had four RBI. Pritchett was 3-for-3 at the plate for the Bears.

The series will resume with a game on Saturday at 2 p.m.