April 18, 2015
Final Stats
Photo Gallery
Game 1 | Game 2
By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike
ARLINGTON, Texas -- UT Arlington and Georgia State scored 13 of the 14 overall runs in the sixth inning over two games as the squads split a Sun Belt doubleheader on Saturday at Allan Saxe Field.
The Mavericks came back from a 6-1 defeat in Game 1 to knock off the Panthers 5-2 in Game 2 after rallying in the sixth. Senior Nina Villanueva led the Mavs overall with three hits, two runs and a RBI.
"A win is a win and when you can beat a team like that at home it is that much better," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "Now we have to come out and take care of business tomorrow."
The Mavericks and Panthers conclude the three-game series on Sunday at noon.
Keeping the Mavericks in the second game, UTA starter Taylor Simmonds held the Panthers scoreless through the first five innings. GSU would get to her with a pair in the sixth, but Simmonds calmed down to pitch a perfect seventh.
"Every time I have been out in the mound it has been a close game," Simmonds said. "I was trying to keep it a low-scoring game and I knew that the offense would eventually come through and they did."
Simmonds allowed two earned runs and six hits, while improving to 8-3.
After GSU scored two in the top of the sixth, UTA made its rally. Kacey Everett gave the Mavs their first run on a wild pitch that went to the backstop on two outs. Villanueva tied the game on the next pitch with a single through the left side of the infield.
The Mavericks jumped into the lead as a blooper to center by Shelbi Sikes bounced out of the glove of the centerfielder, allowing Villanueva to score from first.
Mya Anderson padded the lead with a two-run homer in the next at bat. Anderson's homer tied Meagan Michele for fifth in UTA single-season history with 11.
In Game 1, UTA led 1-0 until the sixth on a RBI single from Michele in the third. Georgia State plated six in the sixth to pull away as the Panthers finished with seven hits in the frame.
NOTES: The all-time series between UTA and GSU is tied 3-3. ... Nina Villanueva leaped into the single-season record for runs scored in a season after crossing twice on Saturday. She leads teammate Sandra Mendoza 50-49 in runs this season.
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, a commemorative t-shirt, a seat cushion and access to reserved seating. For more information visit UTATickets.com.
