May 15, 2003
GAINESVILLE, Florida...The University of Texas at Arlington softball squad put a stop to the nation's longest winning streak as they handed the second seeded Florida State Seminoles a 1-0 loss in the NCAA Division I Softball Regional Tournament hosted by the University of Florida. With the win, the Lady Mavericks set a new school record for wins in a season as they improved to 40-19 on the year.
What started as a pitchers dual throughout the first three innings, became a defensive battle for the Lady Mavericks. Florida State threatened in the bottom of the fourth after UTA starter Katy Cox gave up a lead off walk followed by a bunt single by desiganted player Elisa Vasquez with no outs. The UTA defense didn't flinch, retiring the next three batters.
The Seminoles returned in the fifth after one out back-to-back infield singles put runners in scoring position for FSU. After the lead runner was gunned down by catcher Crystal Krebs, center fielder Melanie Williams robbed FSU pitcher Jessica van der Linden of a potential game winning hit with a spectacular catch to end the inning and once again escape the threat.
UTA connected for its first hit of the game as Jennifer English led off the top of the sixth with a sinlge to left. Pinch runner April Jones was thrown out a second after a Falon Kwasnick bunt, but in an attempt to turn the double play the FSU shortstop overthrew first and Kwasnick advanced to second. However, the Lady Mavs couldn't manage a run after Williams popped out to second base and Beverly Rowan struck out to end the inning.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Jenna Fortune knocked the first pitch she saw over the center field fence to put the Lady Mavs ahead, 1-0. That was enough to give UTA the win after the Seminoles fell short in the bottom of the frame.
Cox struck out eight in a complete game effort while giving up six hits and walking three. With the win, she improved to 28-6 on the year.
Seventh seeded Texas-Arlington will return to action Friday when it faces host Florida at 2:30 p.m. The Lady Mavericks will look for revenge as they are 0-2 against the Gators this year.
...utamavericks...
