BY Brooke Ortale | UTAMavs.com

MOBILE, Ala. - In response to a record-setting year for UT Arlington softball, the Mavericks had three selected the Sun Belt All-Conference teams, announced at Sun Belt Family Night.

After finishing the regular season as the Mavericks new single-season hits record holder with 76, Sandra Mendoza was selected to the Sun Belt All-Conference first team. The sophomore second baseman was a key contributor in the Mavs historic 19-0 start to the season, recording a hit in each of the first 17 games and reaching base in 19.

Mendoza ranks ninth in the nation and second in the SBC in batting average, hitting .469. She leads the conference and ranks 21st in Division I in on-base percentage at .532.

"Sandra continues to elevate her game," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "She has shown she is one of the top players in our league both offensively and defensively."

As two of only four freshmen named to All-Conference team's, Krista Rude and Samantha Clakley garnered Second-Team All-Conference honors.

"Krista and Samantha made immediate impacts on the mound and in the outfield," Fox said. "I'm glad they have been rewarded for their hard work and success. I know the team and staff is proud of them."

In her freshman in campaign, Rude is second on the team in batting average at .297, hits with 52, slugging percentage at .611 and on-base percentage at .410. She led the team with 16 stolen bases, good for seventh in the Sun Belt. Rude began her career with a hit in 16 of her first 18 games, including seven multiple-hit games during the span.

Clakley was dominant on the mound for the Mavs going 18-13 with 21 complete games - three being shutouts, 129 strikeouts and a 3.11 era in 191.1 innings thrown. The Carthage, Texas native led the conference and ranked 50th in the nation in saves with three. Clakley won the first nine decisions of her career. Perhaps the biggest win of the season for Clakley came against No. 5 Louisiana, holding one of the highest ranked teams in the country to one run on six hits, while striking out seven.

First Team

• Dixie Raley (Georgia Southern, Freshman, P, Exercise Science)
• Alex Stewart (UL Lafayette, Junior, P, Mathematics and Economics)
• Devin Brown (South Alabama, Sophomore, P, Graphic Design)
• Randi Rupp (Texas State, Sophomore, P, Management)
• Lexie Elkins (UL Lafayette, Senior, C, General Studies)
• Amye Barre (UL Monroe, Senior, 1B, History)
• Kaleigh Todd (South Alabama, Sophomore, 2B, Education)
• Sandra Mendoza (UT Arlington, Sophomore, 2B, Exercise Science)
• DJ Sanders (UL Lafayette, Sophomore, SS, Biology)
• Emily Messer (South Alabama, Senior, 3B, Exercise Science)
• Aleah Craighton (UL Lafayette, Sophomore, OF, Biology)
• Shellie Landry (UL Lafayette, Senior, OF, Exercise Science)
• Rochelle Roberts (UL Monroe, Junior, OF, Psychology)
• Hannah Day (Troy, Senior, OF, Exercise Science)
• Sara Corbello (UL Lafayette, Senior, DP, Public Relations)

Second Team

• Katie Worley (Georgia State, Senior, P, Health and Physical Education)
• Samantha Clakley (UT Arlington, Freshman, P, Exercise Science)
• Ivie Drake (Georgia State, Sophomore, C, Early Childhood Education)
• Stephanie Pilkington (South Alabama, Senior, C, Criminal Justice)
• Mandy Blackwell (Georgia State, Junior, 1B, Interdisciplinary Studies)
• Haley Hayden (UL Lafayette, Junior, 2B, Exercise Science)
• Kate Benton (Troy, Senior, 2B, Physical Education)
• Taylor Anderson (Georgia State, Senior, SS, Biological Science)
• Corrina Liscano (Texas State, Junior, Third Base, Criminal Justice)
• Emily Snider (Georgia Southern, Junior, OF, Accounting)
• Haleigh Lane (South Alabama, Freshman, OF, Pre-Physical Therapy)
• Haleigh Lowe (South Alabama, Sophomore, OF, Education)
• Krista Rude (UT Arlington, Freshman, OF, Education)
• Taylor Webb (Texas State, Sophomore, Outfield, Exercise and Sports Science)
• Taylor Rogers (Georgia Southern, Junior, DP, General Studies)

Student-Athlete of the Year

• Lexie Elkins (UL Lafayette, Senior, C, General Studies)

Pitcher of the Year

• Alex Stewart (UL Lafayette, Junior, P, Mathematics and Economics)

Freshman of the Year

• Dixie Raley (Georgia Southern, Freshman, P, Exercise Science)

Coach of the Year

• Michael Loteif, UL Lafayette