March 25, 2015

Final Stats

By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ABILENE, Texas - Two big innings helped UT Arlington run past the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Wednesday night at Poly Wells Field.

The Mavericks (18-15) used a four-run third and a 10-run fifth to run-rule the Wildcats (5-22) in five innings. All nine starters reached safely in the win as UTA won its fourth in the last five games.

"The team had a lot of energy and we capitalized on all our opportunities at the plate today," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "I felt like today we were rolling on all cylinders, pitching, defense and offense."

Meagan Michele and Nina Villanueva led the team with three hits and three runs scored. Michele was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and Villanueva was perfect (3-3) with three RBI. Mallory Foster and Rebecca Stokes each had two hits and two RBI, while Foster had two runs.

UTA starter Sam Montes improved to 8-8. The sophomore allowed six hits, struck out two and did not allow a walk in the complete-game shutout.

"Montes did a great job of hitting spots and changing speeds and our defense made some big plays behind her," Fox said.

After two scoreless innings, UTA used four hits to build a 4-0 lead after three. Michele's double down the left-field line got things started as she brought home Sandra Mendoza. Shelbi Sikes added to the lead with a sacrifice fly, while Mallory Foster and Rebecca Stokes each had RBI hits.

Six consecutive hits started off the offense in the fifth as the Mavs scored four before the first out. Hitting around in the lineup, Villanueva's two-out double with the bases loaded scored three. Michele followed up the shortstop's hit with a two-run homer over the left-field fence.

The home run was Michele's eighth of the season, tying teammate Mya Anderson for eighth in UTA single-season history.

The win helped avenge a loss to ACU on March 17.