May 4, 2003
NATCHITOCHES, La...The University of Texas at Arlington Lady Maverick softball squad won its first ever Southland Conference postseason tournament Sunday afternoon by defeating fifth seeded Nicholls State, 6-2, at the Demon Diamond on the campus of Northwestern State. UTA entered the six team tournament as the the number one seed after winning the 2003 regular season SLC title.
UTA used a four run fifth inning to break open a scoreless game. Stephanie Owens led off the top of the frame as she beat out an infield single and advanced to third as an attempted sacrifice bunt by Ali Lommel was misplayed by the NSU defense. With runners on the corners, Jennifer English reached on a fielders choice as the Lady Colonel defense tagged out Lommel while Owens scored the first run of the game. Back-to-back singles by Falon Kwasnick and Melanie Williams loaded the bases for the Lady Mavs with only one out. A grounder back to the pitcher by Beverly Rowan should have allowed NSU to get the force out at home, but catcher Sarah Eads dropped the ball and allowed not one, but two runs to score. A single through the right side by Autumn Petrino plated Williams to give UTA a 4-0 advantage.
After NSU reliever Dione Meier gave up back-to-back walks to lead off the top of the sixth frame, Kwasnick singled up the middle to plate Owens from second and add one run to the Lady Mavs cause.
UTA took a 6-0 lead in the top of the final frame after a Crystal Krebs solo shot over the left field wall.
NSU first baseman Lindsey Coleman spoiled starter Katy Cox's no-hitter and shutout in the bottom of the seventh when she knocked a solo home run over the left field wall. Teri Clouatre added another home run in the inning but the Lady Colonels couldn't manage a rally as UTA took home the 6-2 win, and the trophy.
Cox earned her fourth win of the tournament, improving her record to 27-6 on the year. Cox struck out seven while being touched for only two hits.
Cox, the 2003 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, was named the tournament most valuable player after starting three games for UTA, entering the other in relief and coming away with a 4-0 record.
Outfielders Autumn Petrino and Melanie Williams along with designated player Beverly Rowan joined Cox on the all-tournament team.
Texas-Arlington earned its first ever automatic berth to the 2003 NCAA Division I Softball Touranment and will now await the selection show that will air on Sunday, May 11.
...utamavericks...
