The UT Arlington baseball team begins Western Athletic Conference play this weekend and the results have been mixed to say the least. In fact, this may be the most opposite of seasons I have ever seen in my two and a half decades plus of following UTA Mavericks.
At 11-16, the record certainly reflects a year that has been less than stellar, but it's those weird dichotomies that make this one a headscratcher. To enter into the record: 12 times on the year, UTA has scored three runs or less. They are 1-11 in those games, understandably so. But in games where they scored just one more run, they are 2-2. UTA has scored double digit runs six times, all wins. Proving they can score. There are some weird inconsistencies, as caliber of opponent seems to matter little, as I'll get into shortly.
The pitching staff has allowed three runs or less six times. While not as numerous as the 12 times they scored three or less, that is still a wide difference in runs from offense to defense. Their record in that category is 5-1. When they've allowed exactly four runs, they are 0-2. They have given up double digit runs six times, a 1-5 record.
But the real odd one to me that I just can't explain is a head scratcher to everyone.
Against unranked teams, UTA is a less-than stellar 7-12, for a winning percentage of .368. Against ranked teams, their record is a very respectable 4-4. While UTA has played a tough schedule, they are top half in the RPI rankings because of those ranked wins.
The record was also salvaged by a three-game sweep of Villanova, the first sweep of the year. They have been swept once as well by Northwestern State to open the season. UTA was won an additional two series' while losing three. Like in past years, the mid-week games have been killer. Losing five of six. The lone win was to a ranked TCU team.
If RPI is accurate, UTA has a decent chance as WAC play opens. UTA is currently 133, good for third in the seven-team WAC. Tarleton State is the leader at 53, followed by California Baptist at 80. The following schools sit behind UTA: Abilene Christian at 151, Utah Tech at 173, Sacramento State at 197 and Utah Valley at 294.
Individually, UTA has a bona fide ace in Caylon Dygert. The junior right hander leads the WAC in ERA at 2.08. He is 3-1 on the year. Redshirt sophomore Ty Zahradnik, a lefty, is the only other Maverick to start most every series with six starts in a possible seven opportunities. He has a respectable 4.68 ERA. There are four relievers with a sub 4.00 ERA, something I don't recall happening for a while now. They include senior lefty Kyle Winkler (2.49), senior lefty Merek Sears (3.28), sophomore right Hayes Melville (3.50) and senior right-hander Danny Valadez (3.86). If the starters can keep it close, those four are competent.
That's good as the offense is inconsistently rough, scoring in bunches, then going cold for long stretches. Two Mavericks are above .300 in batting average: senior second baseman Xavier Melendez at .360 and junior shortstop Harold Laracumente at .304. Sophomore third baseman Austin Phillips is knocking on the door at .299 going into today's series. The team is hitting better than the last few years but still needs improvement. Melendez is eighth in the WAC in batting average, Laracumente is 26th and Phillips is 30th. Reminder, this is a seven team WAC.
As a team, UTA is sixth in team hitting, only .004 points better than last-place Sacramento State. The Mavs are last in runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, total bases and walks drawn. If the Mavs are to win, either the offense has to have an uncharacteristic explosion or the pitchers have to be on their game.
Today, Tarleton State comes to play in Arlington to open WAC play. At April 2nd, it is the latest start to conference play since 1971, UTA's third year of existence. In that year, there were only four other conference schools. I saw head coach Mike Trapasso give an interview to the Shorthorn, as they posted it to social media. In it, he expressed his frustration with the conference over that. He mentioned baseball is usually a marathon, but with 18 games, the WAC season will be a sprint.
I'm not sure what the better alternative is. as I hated what basketball did with the three games played against every WAC team. Does he want a four-game set? If so, that likely wouldn't start the conference season earlier, it would just lead to Friday or Saturday doubleheaders. Does he want an extra series or two? If so, that leads to unbalanced standings. California Baptist finished second to Utah Valley in the men's basketball standings. CBU played there twice, both losses, while winning once in Cali. If UTA finished third but played two extra series at the home of the top two teams, then the standings aren't accurate. Same if the Mavs played the last place teams.
In short, I just don't think there is a good solution to seven teams. It is what it is this year. Next year, with the United Athletic Conference starts play, there will be two more teams in the rotation.
But this Easter weekend, its 11-16 UTA hosting 20-8 Tarleton State at Clay Gould. With them hosting, UTA has a good chance to set the tone for the rest of WAC play.
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