10/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox challenged her team after the first two fall scrimmages to play with energy and have fun on the diamond.
The team responded with its best performance yet after tallying 16 hits against Lubbock Christian College on Thursday at Allan Saxe Field.
"They had a great week of practice and great energy today," Fox said. "They were ready to go. That is the kind of atmosphere we want to create because that is the atmosphere they thrive under. I was impressed on how they made that adjustment in one short week."
Sophomore Sandra Mendoza led the Mavericks with three hits in the game, scoring three times and proving two RBI. Brianna Burchianti had two hits, including her second home run of the fall season on a solo shot in the opening frame. Laura Curry and Krista Rude each added two hits.
"We are thinking about this week being aggressive and being aggressive with good pitches," Fox said. "In the other scrimmages we were passive. They were confident this week and swinging at good pitches. When you do that you pass it down the line."
The Mavericks used five pitchers in the 10-inning matchup, each getting two innings of work. Brooklynne Simbeck matched Sam Montes with two strikeouts for the team high.
Heading into its final scrimmage of the fall schedule, Fox still has a focus on what the team can improve.
"The biggest thing that we harp on all the time is the two-out RBI," she said. "We had a lot of opportunities early and we didn't actually get any two out RBI until the eighth. The inning we scored the most on was the inning where we had the two-out RBI. That is something that what we really try to focus on today, that I am really wanting to see on Saturday."
The Mavs host Crowder Junior College on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Allan Saxe Field.
