MESA, Ariz. (Interstat) — Abilene Christian erased a three-run deficit to defeat Texas-Arlington 5-3 Wednesday in the Western Athletic Conference baseball championship.

Texas-Arlington took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run homer by Melendez. The Mavericks managed only eight hits against three Wildcats pitchers.

Abilene Christian answered in the fifth. Cardenas sacrificed in Borho, and Regala stole home to cut the lead to 3-2. The Wildcats tied the game in the sixth on Regala’s single that scored Ladusau. Miesse then walked with the bases loaded to put Abilene Christian ahead, and Cardenas added a sacrifice fly for a 5-3 lead.

Melendez homered again in the ninth for the Mavericks, but the Wildcats held on. Braden Regala had two hits and two runs for Abilene Christian, which improved to 25-29. Texas-Arlington fell to 19-32. The Wildcats outhit the Mavericks 13-8.