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By Drew Harris | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington softball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night, but not before the team picked up its 19th straight win to open the year earlier in the day as part of the Maverick Classic.

"We really came out and swung the bats well in the first game, Sam (Clakley) pitched great, and our defense was strong as well," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "In the second game, we learned that when things go wrong, we have to just worry about things that we can control. The pressure of the streak is off our shoulders now, and now we can start another streak."

After a 7-1 win over Samford and an 11-0 loss to 18th-ranked Arizona, UTA sits at 19-1. It is the best 20-game start in school history, passing the 17-3 mark set in 1980. The Mavericks were the second-to-last unbeaten team in the nation, behind only No 1. Florida, the two-time defending national champions.

In addition to extending the best start in school history, UTA played in front of sellout home crowds for the first time in program annals.

"Getting these teams (including No. 25 Texas) to come to our tournament speaks to our facilities and the commitment that our athletic department has made in building this program," Fox said. "We just have to keep working and take it one step at a time. It was great to have so many fans out here supporting us today, and we look forward to tomorrow."

Freshman Samantha Clakley starred for the Mavericks in the opener, as she improved to 9-0 on the year by allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings.

The Mavericks will complete play in the Maverick Classic tomorrow at 11 a.m. with a game against Samford. UTA opens Sun Belt action at home March 19-20 against No. 5 Louisiana. Tickets for all UTA home games can be purchased at UTATickets.com.

Game 1: UT Arlington 7, Samford 1
Final Stats

Freshman Samantha Clakley shut down the Samford Bulldogs, and the UTA offense clicked by scoring in each of the first five innings en route to a 7-1 victory, the team's 19th straight to open the season.

Clakley (9-0) held Samford, which had scored eight runs against No. 25 Texas in the morning game of the Maverick Classic, in check. The freshman right-hander allowed a leadoff triple into the right-field corner to the first batter she faced and trailed 1-0 after two hitters.

After that, she didn't allow another base runner until a one-out walk in the fifth, and didn't yield another Bulldogs' hit until the sixth. Clakley fanned four in the complete-game effort.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks lit the scoreboard in each of the first five innings, posting two in the first and third frames and single runs in the second, fourth and fifth.

Shelbi Sikes enjoyed a 3-for-4 afternoon, including an RBI double in the first that gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead that would not be relinquished. The junior also made a pair of defensive gems at third base to aid Clakley's cause.

Sikes was one of a trio of Mavs to collect multiple hits, as Sandra Mendoza and Laura Curry each added a pair. Mendoza had two RBI, while Curry scored twice.

In all, UTA belted 12 hits, including four extra-base knocks. Britnea Barilli blasted a home run to right-center field in the third. It was her first of the season and the fourth of the year for the Mavericks.

Game 2: Arizona 11, UT Arlington 0
Final Stats

In its first game against a nationally-ranked team this season, UTA was unable to solve No. 18 Arizona (17-8). The Mavericks tallied just one hit in its 11-0, 5-inning loss in the nightcap.

Arizona scored three in the second inning and two more in the third. Two runs in each frame were aided by misplays in the outfield.

The Wildcats tacked on two runs in the fourth and used a pair of homers in the fifth to account their final four runs.

It was the first time this season that UTA allowed more than five runs in a game.

Brooklynne Simbeck (3-1) took the loss for the Mavericks after allowing three runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.

Kacey Everett, who had singles in both games, had the lone hit for UTA. Arizona posted 13 hits.