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ARLINGTON, Texas - For the first time in UT Arlington softball history, the program is 10-0 after sweeping a doubleheader at Allan Saxe Field on Saturday.
The Mavericks completed the feat behind a pair of run-rule wins in the Maverick Invitational. UTA beat Princeton 9-1 in the first game before blanking South Dakota State 8-0. The perfect start bested a 9-0 open to the 1980 season.
"It feels good," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "It is hard to win 10 games in a row at all, so for the girls to come out and stay focused and not let the moments get too big, I am really proud of them. Our pitching staff is doing a good job of coming together and helping each other out."
Sophomore Sandra Mendoza led the way offensively with six hits through two games. Mendoza knocked in six RBI, three coming in each game, and crossed the plate four times.
"It feels awesome," Mendoza said of the undefeated start. "I knew we could do it and it is always positive out here. I love the girls and love the team. It is always a positive atmosphere."
Mendoza produced three doubles in Day 2 action, all down the left-field line.
"Sandra is swinging it really well," Fox said. "One of the pieces that people are missing is the reason Sandra is getting so many opportunities is because Krista Rude has been absolutely amazing for us in the seven-hole. She is pretty much making Sandra a three-hole hitter, which is what we like. I like seeing them work together like that."
Rude was 3-for-4 in Game 1 and followed it up with a 1-for-3 performance in Game 2, adding a run.
With the offense clicking, the UTA pitching staff allowed just one run on Saturday. Freshman Samantha Clakley (4-0) pitched a one-hitter over 6.0 innings in Game 2. Clakley stuck out four and didn't allow a hit after the game's leadoff hitter singled.
"I kept the hitters off balance and my defense worked really well behind me," Clakley said. "I had a few ground balls in the infield and they helped me out a lot."
After playing the first 10 games at home, UTA hits the road for an eight-game road trip that begins at the Charleston Southern Tournament on Feb. 26.
Following a visit to Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 26-28, the Mavericks return to Allan Saxe Field on March 11-13 for the highly anticipated Maverick Classic. UTA hosts Arizona, Texas and Samford over the three-day tournament.
