March 27, 2011
Final Stats
Arlington, Texas - The UT Arlington softball team was just two outs away from heading into extra innings with the score even at 4-4 but the Mavericks put the ball in play and forced Nicholls State to make a play. The Colonels handed the Mavs the 5-4 win and the sweep after committing two costly errors.
UTA improved on their overall record to 23-12 and 10-2 in SLC play. The sweep over Nicholls State was the first time since March 11-12, 2006. The Mavs opened the series with a 4-1 win and followed with a 4-0 shutout victory in game two.
Sophomore Teri Lyles finished the series with a 2-0 record in the circle and a 2.10 ERA in 10 innings pitched. Lyles also recorded 14 strikeouts and held the Colonels to a .147 batting average. The Keller, Texas native led the Mavs to a 4-0 shutout win in game two and came in relief in game three to carry UTA to a 5-4 victory.
True freshman Callie Collins led the Mavs to a 4-1 win in game one and pitched four innings in game three. Collins finished the series with a 1.27 ERA in 11 innings pitched and recorded 15 strikeouts.
In game three, UTA took an early 3-0 lead in the second when four Mavericks connected on hits. Designated hitter Lyles plated the Mavs first run of the game when she ripped a double down the left field line scoring Stephanie Gonzalez. Gonzalez led the inning off with a single down the right field line. Lyles advanced to third and scored on a pair of balks by the Colonels pitcher. Junior Charne Office gave the Mavs their third run of the game when she singled up the middle scoring Courtney Zink.
Lyles plated UTA's fourth run of the game in the third when she ripped a single to right field scoring Gonzalez from second.
Nicholls State cut into the Mavs lead in the fourth with a solo run but it was in the next inning where the Colonels kept UTA on their toes. Head coach Debbie Hedrick called for her sophomore pitcher Lyles to come in for Collins in the fifth and after walking her first batter faced, Laine Strickland got a hold of a pitch and homered to left field with no outs.
Lyles was able to get out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts and lineout. In the sixth, Nicholls State's Ashley Ray would tie the game at 4-4 when she led off with a home run to left field.
The Mavericks headed into their final at bat with ever intention to score and did so following a pair of miscues by Nicholls State's shortstop. Office scored the Mavs winning run following an error by the Colonels infielder.
Office led UT Arlington offensively going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Gonzalez, Lyles and C. Zink each recorded a pair of hits in the win.
Up next for the Mavericks is a three game conference series in San Antonio, Texas against UTSA on April 2-3. Game times are set for 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday.
