Darin Thomas and UTA Make NCAA Regional

ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington is back in the NCAA playoffs and headed to the Waco Regional after Monday’s announcement of the 64-team tournament bracket. The Mavericks are the No. 3 seed and open the double-elimination regional against No. 2 seed Dallas Baptist on Friday at 1 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.

No. 1 Baylor faces No. 4 Oral Roberts in the other game at 6 p.m. The regional runs through Monday at the latest with berths in a Super Regional on the line for the winner.

This the fifth trip to the NCAAs for UTA, which earned an automatic bid by winning the championship of the Southland Conference Tournament. The Mavericks also reached the national playoffs in 2006, 2001, 1992 and 1990.

"I’m happy we got a No. 3 seed, I thought we deserved it," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said during a Selection Show watching party Monday at Mavericks Bar and Grill.

"We’re playing some teams that we’re familiar with. We’re playing our best baseball, we’ve won seven in row, and couldn’t have played any better in the conference tournament. I’m happy for our guys and won’t have any trouble getting them ready to play."

The Mavericks (36-23) have faced Dallas Baptist twice this season, losing both games on back-to-back days May 1-2. UTA split two games against Baylor, with each team winning on its home field.

There are four current Liberal Bee Jays on the team who will obviously delay their trip to Liberal. Right handed pitcher Zach Thompson, infielder/outfielder Derek Miller, middle infielder Travis Sibley, and right handed pitcher Chad Nack.

The Bee Jays open Friday against the Wichita Cannons at 7 p.m. on Brent Gould Field. The game will air on Talkradio 1270 and kscbnews.net.