Final Stats

By Michael Eldridge |@DFWSportsMike

TUCSON, Ariz. - UT Arlington left runners on the corners to end the game, and its time in the Wildcat Classic, as the Mavericks lost to Colorado State 7-6 on Sunday at Hillenbrand Stadium.

The Mavericks (11-8) trailed by four runs in the final inning before making a late charge to attempt to tie the game. UTA was able to bring home three in the seventh before a groundout to the pitcher by Kacey Everett ended the game. The Mavs concluded the tournament 2-3 after dropping the last three games.

"The positive is this team never quits," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "They hit the ball hard right at people a few times, but we need to create some of our own luck now and take ownership of the opportunities we are leaving on the bases."

Mya Anderson and Haley Henson each led the Mavs with three hits, while Anderson crossed the plate for two runs. Shelbi Sikes was 2-for-2 with three RBI and Meagan Michele finished with a hit and two RBI.

UTA returns to action to end its five-tournament preseason on Friday in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Invitational. The Mavs face Utah Valley and UT Martin on the opening day.

Colorado State opened the game in the first with a pair of singles on two outs for a 2-0 lead. The Rams added to the lead in the following inning with a solo home run.

After CSU added a fourth run in the third, UTA was able to answer in the next frame after picking up its first hit of the game. Anderson singled and advanced to third on two throwing errors before Sikes brought her home with a hit up the middle.

Michele continued the comeback trend with a two-run homer in the next at-bat to cut the lead to 4-3 after five innings.

The Rams built their lead right back up to four runs in the top of the sixth as they pushed three runs across the plate on four hits.

Two singles and a walk set the stage for UTA's comeback attempt in the seventh. Sikes doubles to center to score Anderson and Nina Villanueva. After Michele lined out to left, Haley Henson had an RBI single to center, however, due to the ball hanging up in the air, UTA's runner at first was thrown out at second.

Everett was unable to produce the tying hit in the game, grounding out the pitcher. Overall UTA left nine on base.

"I want them to understand that the line is so thin between wins and losses, and it is doing the little things right consistently that make you come out on top in the end," Fox said. "Softball is about strong competitive individuals playing as one and we are almost there."