ARLINGTON, Texas - - UT Arlington rallied from a three-run deficit in the first inning and held on for a 6-5 victory against Sam Houston State on Sunday at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The come-from-behind victory - UTA's fifth win in its past six games - gives the Mavericks the Southland Conference series victory against the Bearkats.

Sam Houston State opened the game with three runs in the top of the first inning, sparked by Heath Pugh's two-run home run. But starting pitcher Zach Neal gave up four runs on five hits in two thirds of an inning's work to draw the loss.

The Mavericks upped their season record to 12-19 and are 5-7 in Southland Conference action.

UTA's comeback in the bottom of the first started with consecutive singles by Brock Wilson and David McLeod. Jeff Storms drove in two runs with a single and Evan Raley batted in two more with another single.

Guillaume Duguay struck out three batters in three and one third innings and Zac Baker closed out the final four innings in relief for Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats dropped to 17-13 for the season and 6-6 in Southland Conference play.

Jeff Storms drove in two runs with a single, and one batter later, Evan Raley drove in two with a single to center to give UTA a 4-3 lead. Sam Houston (17-13, 6-6) quickly went to its bullpen, pulling starter Zach Neal (3-2) in favor of Guillaume Duguay.

UTA built their lead to 6-3 with two runs in the fourth inning. Sam Houston added runs in the fifth and eighth innings. The Bearkats totaled 11 hits for the game

Andy Sauter was the winning pitcher for UTA,

Sam Houston State made it 6-5 eighth.then threatened again in the ninth by putting one runner on base against Varner. UTA went to freshman right-hander Marcus Linton with one on and two out.  Limon allowed a single before getting a pop up to end the game and pick up his second save.