May 8, 2013

Final Stats

RUSTON, Louisiana - UT Arlington dropped its first game of the 2013 Western Athletic Conference softball tournament to host team Louisiana Tech 1-0 on Wednesday.

"I think we played really good defense," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "I think we hit the ball harder than them, and it's unfortunate that one bad pitch call and a passed ball ended up being the reason we lost the game."

Senior pitcher Teri Lyles fell to 20-12 on the season. Lyles walked four batters in the first three innings and did not allow a LA Tech hit until the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Techsters threw three pitchers in seven innings with Michelle Jones picking up the win (13-8).

The Mavericks (24-26, 8-14 WAC) will play in the losers bracket Thursday afternoon at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Anna Cross led off the bottom of the fifth with a slow hit to shortstop and the throw was not in time. Cross stole second on the first pitch to Jones. Amanda Kruger was called out at first, but not before advancing Cross to third with one out. The Lady Techsters scored on a pitch that got away from the catcher to give them the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

Rachel Forshaw reached first on a throwing error by Cross to start the top of the seventh inning. Rebecca Stokes picked up a sacrifice bunt advancing Forshaw to second. Taylor Zink walked to put two runners on for the Mavs. Forshaw was called out at third on a groundout and Louisiana Tech took the game 1-0 from the Mavs.

The Mavericks will face No. 5 UTSA or No. 1 San Jose State on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Fox believes her team can handle either opponent. UTSA and San Jose State face each other Thurday morning and the UT Arlington will face the loser.

"It doesn't matter to me," Fox said. "Our backs are against the wall and its win, or end your season. I think we perform really well under pressure and whoever we play, we'll be ready for them."