ARLINGTON _ The UT Arlington Mavericks exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning to pull away for a 13-8 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears in Southland Conference action Saturday at Clay Gould Ballpark.

   The Bears (11-13, 5-6) had taken a 7-6 lead in the top of seventh by scoring four runs on four hits. But the Mavericks (16-11, 5-6) got six of their 13 hits in the bottom of the inning and won their second consecutive game in as many days.

   UCA answered a three-run fourth inning by UTA with two runs in the top of the fifth to close to within 4-3. Forrestt Allday and Bryan Willson had RBI singles in the inning, and both finished with two hits in the game.

   After UTA pushed its lead to 6-3 through five innings, UCA put up four in the seventh. Jonathan Davis led off the inning with a triple to center field. Ethan Harris, Michael Marietta, Blake Roberts and Logan Moon each knocked in
a run for a 7-6 UCA lead.

   UCA starter Caleb McClanahan (2-2) pitched into the seventh but allowed three runs, one earned, in the inning before giving way to Dylan Owen. He allowed three more runs and Ethan McKinzie another before freshman Connor
McClain finally came on and quieted the Mavs.

   UCA scored one run in the ninth as Willson doubled and scored on Garrett Vail's sacrifice fly to center field to set the final.

   Roberts also had two hits for the Bears, who are now 0-5 in games played in Arlington. Ryan Walker went 4 for 5 with 3 RBI and Matt Shortall was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI for UTA.

   The series finale will be at 1 p.m. Sunday.