UT Arlington (11-8) | Texas Tech Invitational
March 6-8, 2015 | Rocky Johnson Field | Lubbock, Texas
Tournament Central | Live Streaming (TTU Game Only)

Tournament Notes

By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas. - UT Arlington travels to the Texas Tech Invitational for its final nonconference tuneup before Sun Belt Conference play begins next week.

The Mavericks (11-8) are playing in Lubbock for the fourth consecutive season. UTA faces two familiar opponents in a three-day event hosted by Texas Tech. UTA has met UT Martin and Texas Tech this season, while its bout with Utah Valley is the first meeting this season.

UTA enters as the Sun Belt's best hitting team, with a .372 average at the plate this season. The Mavericks scored 27 runs in the first two games of the Wildcat Classic last week before hitting a lull offensively.

"Early in the season we were doing a really good job in getting our two-out RBI, but in the last couple of weekends we have left too many runners on base," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "So we have to focus on those two-out RBI and getting those runs in."

The Mavs have been a dangerous team in the opening days of tournament thus far this season. UTA is 6-1 on the first day of play, with the one loss to Texas Tech in the UT Arlington Invitational on Feb. 20.

UTA is averaging more than eight runs a game in the first day of action and has run-ruled four of its seven opening-day opponents. The pitching staff has been going through growing pains this season, as two freshmen and two sophomores are working on improving each week. The staff has a combined ERA of 4.55.

"The biggest thing for our pitching staff right now is mental toughness and competing," Fox said. "Even when they don't have their best stuff understanding that they need to go out there and compete. It is them versus the batter and they have the team support behind them. They are young and have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks and now is the time to start maturing as we get closer to conference."

The Mavericks open play on Friday with a pair of games. UTA takes on Utah Valley at 11 a.m. and UT Martin at 1:30 p.m.

TICKETS:Tickets to all home games at Allan Saxe Field are available at UTATickets.com and 817-272-9595. Parking is free for all games at Allan Saxe Field.

UTA Diamond Club: The UTA Softball Diamond Club was created to promote the program, as well as the new stadium, and provide the best experience for fans. Membership in Diamond Club is $100 and includes a season ticket for all UTA home games.