Two former UT Arlington players will begin their pursuit for a World Series Championship with the MLB Postseason beginning this week. The Mavericks have had a player on the World Series championship team each of the past two seasons.

UTA will be represented by right fielder Hunter Pence of the San Francisco Giants and pitcher John Lackey of the St. Louis Cardinals. Pence donned the Maverick uniform from 2003-2004 while Lackey played for UTA during the 1998 season.

"It's been pretty cool because the Giants won it [in 2012] and then the Red Sox won it [in 2013]," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "There are two UTA guys back to back not only playing in it, but contributing on a championship team."

Pence will look to help San Francisco take down Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the National League Division Series to take on the Washington Nationals. Pence will be seeking his second World Series title after picking up a ring with the Giants in 2012. The 2014 All-Star enters the postseason with a batting average of .277 and a slugging percentage of .445. The Fort Worth native is second in the National League in runs (106) and triples (10), and third in hits (180).

Lackey and the Cardinals will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, beginning on Friday, Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to the National League Championship Series. Lackey is a two-time World Series Champion claiming titles with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and the Boston Red Sox in 2013. The Abilene native enters the postseason with an ERA of 3.81 to go along with a 14-10 record while striking out 164 batters.