Final Stats | Photo Gallery

ARLINGTON, Texas - North Texas held off a seventh-inning UTA rally, taking the Metroplex matchup 3-2 on Wednesday night at Allan Saxe Field.

The Mavericks trailed by three going to the final frame and picked up a solo home run from Mallory Foster. UTA would get help from an error and a RBI single from Kacey Everett to put the winning run on base. However, a two-out pop fly to left ended the threat.

"These kids never quit, they never quit," UTA coach Kristie Fox said. "Sometimes I don't think they are gritty all the time, but they never quit. They really support each other and stick with each other and in the long run that is really going to help us. It is not translating right now, but I know that those kids love each other, and support each other and are ready to battle until the end everytime."

North Texas downed UTA for the second consecutive year as the Mavericks went to 17-16 for the season. North Texas improved to 18-13 in the nonconference matchup. The Mavs still lead the all-time series 27-17.

It was a pitcher's duel for most of the contest. UTA starter Sam Clakley was unblemished until a two-out rally scored the opening run in the fifth. North Texas knocked three consecutive hits that included a double to the wall and a RBI single to right. NT added to the lead in the next at-bat with a two-run homer to left by .

Clakley (12-9) finished off her 21st start of the season with seven innigs pitched, four strikeouts, nine hits and three earned runs.

"Last weekend I struggled a lot, so I made sure that today I came out and helped my team to have their back," Clakley said. "We just have to find that grit and want. We have to have the heart and desire."

The Mean Green starter, Stacey Underwood, improved to 10-5 as she struck out three.

UTA finished with six hits in the game, recording base knocks from Sandra Mendoza, Laura Curry, Krista Rude, Everett and Shelbi Sikes to go with Foster's home run. Foster's hit help extend her team-best hitting streak to five games.

Returning to Sun Belt action on the weekend, UTA hits the road for its next six games to start the month of April. The trek begins at Troy with a three-game series beginning Saturday. The Mavs then head to Georgia State the following weekend. UTA is back at Allan Saxe Field on April 14 when it hosts a SBC doubleheader against South Alabama.