By Brooke Ortale | UTAMavs.com

HAMMOND, La. - UTA softball earned back-to-back wins for the first time this season with victories over Buffalo and Middle Tennessee State on Saturday in Hammond, La.

"The girls competed well and took advantage of their opportunities, " UTA head coach Kristie Fox said.

With the wins, UTA improved to 4-4 on the year, while handing Middle Tennessee its second and Buffalo its third losses.

Recording hits in both games, Krista Rudeextended her hit streak to eight. Rude has a hit in every game played this season.

"Krista has a lot of composure at the plate and knows what she is good at and sticks with it," Fox said. "She never tries to do too much, allowing her to be very consistent and successful."

The Mavs conclude the Lion Classic II with a game against Morehead State on Sunday at 9 a.m. before opening up their home slate hosting the UTA Invitational Feb. 24-26.

Game 1: UTA 12, Buffalo 3
Final Stats

In its best offensive performance of the year, UTA scored 12 runs, highlighted by a four-run third to down Buffalo 12-3.

With a one-out walk by Garcia and an RBI double to left by Mallory Foster in the second, the Mavs were able to strike first.

After loading the bases with one-out, UTA tacked onto its lead in the third scoring four on RBI by Garcia, Whitney Walton and Foster.

Meanwhile, starter Sam Montes was cruising through the Buffalo lineup, retiring nine of the first 11 batters she faced.

The Bulls pushed one across in the fourth to bring them within four before the Mavs scored three in the sixth and four in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

Foster had her second-straight multiple hit game, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and a run. Walton had the first multiple hit game of her career with two hits, two runs and an RBI. Krista Rude and Laura Curry each had two hits, with Rude extending her hit streak to seven games. Garcia pushed her hit-streak to six.

Marisa Datko launched her first home run of the season with a pinch-hit homer in the seventh.

Montes earned her first win of the season, throwing four innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out three. Mariah Denson earned the first save of her career, giving up two runs in her three innings of work.

Game 2: UTA 1, Middle Tennessee State 0
Final Stats

Sam Clakley threw a gem in the circle and Reagan Wright came up clutch with the bat to take the 1-0 win over Middle Tennessee State.

In what was a pitcher's duel through most of the game, neither team was able to get much going offensively until Wright drove in the game-winner in the sixth.

One run was all the support Clakley needed, throwing the complete game shutout. She limited the Blue Raiders to just five hits and one walk while striking out two. Clakley moved to 3-1 on the year, lowering her ERA 1.17.

"Sam has done a good job of getting ahead in the count and mixing her pitches," Fox said. "She got us out of a couple of jams today, allowing us to capitalize on our one two-out RBI."

The Mavs wrap up the Lion Classic II with a single game on Sunday against Morehead State at 9 a.m.