Box Score
By Brooke Ortale | UTAMavs.com
CHARLESTON, S.C. - In the final game of the Wingate by Wyndham Invitational Sunday, UT Arlington softball beat Delaware State 7-5 to remain undefeated. The Mavericks and two-time defending National Champions Florida are the only two NCAA Division I teams without a loss this year.
"I thought the entire team did a good job of not getting ahead of themselves and really taking this weekend one game at a time," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said.
A trio of Mavericks (15-0) recorded multi-hit games to lead UTA. Sandra Mendoza and Rebecca Stokes each had two hits, while Krista Rude was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
The Mavs fell behind early, surrendering a run in the top of the first. UTA pushed into the lead with three runs in the second on RBI singles by Stokes and Mendoza. Mendoza's base knock extended her hitting streak to 15 games.
Sam Montes took the mound in relief to start the third, giving up two base hits before inducing the team's seventh double play of the season to erase the threat.
The Mavs scored three in the fifth on an RBI double by Britnea Barilli to score Laura Curry, followed by Rude's RBI single to extend her hit streak to 12 games scoring pinch runner Kayci Moore and Barilli.
Taylor Simmonds replaced Montes in the circle in the fifth and silenced the Delaware State hitters through two innings. However, DSU attempted a comeback in the final inning and pulled within two runs. Samantha Clakley earned her third save of the season as she induced the final out of the game.
"The entire pitching staff really compliments each other and even more important than that they support each other," Fox said. "They have become a small support system within themselves. That creates an environment that breeds success."
The Mavs continue on the road next weekend, playing at Southeastern Louisiana in a three-game series in Hammond, La. March 5-6. UTA returns home for the Maverick Classic, hosting No. 15 Arizona, No. 24 Texas and Samford. Tickets for all Maverick home games are available on UTATickets.com.
