<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1sdnKZ_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1sdnKZ_0wF5dKH700" width="1772" height="1170" ><figcaption>Junior infielder Larry Haskins throws to second base while Sam Houston State University freshman outfielder Sam Lee slides to third base during a game against Sam Houston State on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks won 9-0. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>Fall baseball returned to UTA on Saturday, with Maverick fans getting a preview of this year’s roster as the team defeated Sam Houston State University 9-0 in a 15-inning exhibition game at Clay Gould Ballpark.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1gMkeA_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1gMkeA_0wF5dKH700" width="1752" height="1183" ><figcaption>Redshirt senior pitcher Caden Noah pitches the ball during a game against Sam Houston State University on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. In his senior season, Noah struck out 54 batters across 54.2 innings pitched. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>The team has spent countless hours in practice working to establish a defensive culture, which eliminates “the things that get you beat,” such as walks and errors, said head coach Mike Trapasso. The game was an opportunity to showcase their ability to play defense as a team. Those hours of work translated onto the field, as the team gave up just four walks and two errors during the extended shutout and Trapasso credited SHSU for being a good team. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=366q2d_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=366q2d_0wF5dKH700" width="1789" height="1159" ><figcaption>The UTA baseball team stands for the Pledge of Allegiance before a game against Sam Houston State University on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. This is the only preseason game for the Mavericks. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>“I thought that pitching-wise, if you're going to go 15 scoreless innings, that's an accomplishment no matter who you're playing,” Trapasso said. “Defensively, I thought it was an outstanding day.” <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3CRx9R_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3CRx9R_0wF5dKH700" width="1811" height="1145" ><figcaption>Redshirt sophomore infielder Jordan Medellin slides to first base during a game against Sam Houston State University on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Medellin got his first collegiate hit against UT-San Antonio in the first game of the 2024 season. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>Offensively, the Mavericks opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a two-run double. Things remained quiet for both teams until the sixth inning where UTA added a third run off a wild pitch. After playing a conventional nine innings, the teams continued for six additional innings where UTA’s offense came alive, expanding their lead with six more runs to seal the victory. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=25wPQ8_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=25wPQ8_0wF5dKH700" width="1749" height="1184" ><figcaption>Redshirt junior infielder Tyce Armstrong attempts to throw the ball to freshman outfielder Miles Syptak during a game against Sam Houston State University on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. Armstrong had a nine-game hitting streak as a redshirt sophomore in the 2024 season. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>Despite the victory, the team was tentative offensively and not as aggressive as they wanted to be, Trapasso said, but there were more positives than negatives and the team has an idea of what it needs to improve on moving toward spring. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=09dpcf_0wF5dKH700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09dpcf_0wF5dKH700" width="1727" height="1199" ><figcaption>Graduate outfielder Max Mims swings at the ball during a game against Sam Houston State University on Oct. 19 at Clay Gould Ballpark. The match lasted 15 innings. Photo by Samarie Goffney</figcaption></figure>“I'm very happy for these kids,” Trapasso said. “They've really worked hard. It’s a good group. They establish a culture where they understand it’s a team culture. It's team first.”@jwheels_1</div></body>

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UTA baseball shuts out Sam Houston State University in exhibition game

Fall baseball returned to UTA on Saturday, with Maverick fans getting a preview of this year’s roster as the team defeated Sam Houston State University 9-0 in a 15-inning exhibition game at Clay Gould Ballpark. The team has spent countless hours in practice working to establish a defensive culture,...