April 1, 2006

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Junior first baseman Deejay Nelson slapped a two-out grand slam home run in the fourth inning and sophomore Laura Jones scattered four hits as the UT Arlington Mavericks defeated Sam Houston State 5-1 to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Bearkats in Southland Conference softball play Saturday.

UTA improves to 20-11 overall and to 11-2 in league play. Sam Houston State falls to 14-19 and 7-7.

"I was really proud of the way we played mentally," said UTA Softball Head Coach Debbie Hedrick, "I told our team earlier this week, that is it not about talent, it about mental toughness the remainder of the season. We are going to face teams at the top of the league and our mental toughness is so important."

Nelson finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBI. Senior outfielder Autumn Petrino, who went 3-for-4 with a home in the Mavs' 6-3 win earlier in the day, had two singles in the nightcap and scored twice.

Laura Jones (6-2) struck out 10 and did not allow a walk in seven innings. She allowed Sam Houston's only run in the first on back-to-back wild pitches to score Danyell Hines from second base and tie the game at 1-1.

Brandi Crnkovic (2-4) took the loss after allowing five earned runs in 3.2 innings.

UTA scored first when Amanda Swofford walked with the bases loaded in the first inning, but could not add anymore runs.