Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - UTA played near perfect softball in Game 1, but (RV/RV) Texas State flipped the script in Game 2 as the teams split the doubleheader in the rivalry matchup at Allan Saxe Field.

The Mavericks, moving to 28-24 overall and 13-13 in league play, earned a big Game 1 win, a 6-0 decision to open the three-game series. Texas State notched Game 2 with a final score of 10-3. The Bobcats went to 39-12 and 18-7 in the Sun Belt, wrapping up the league's second seed. With the split, UTA earned its 60th all-time win against Texas State, ending a six-game losing streak to the Bobcats and sending the series to 60-58 in favor of the Mavs.

The teams conclude the series, and the regular season, on Saturday at 1 p.m. UTA will be celebrating the careers of its six seniors following the game.

"A win in Game 1 was huge," UTA coach Kristie Fox said. "That's the No. 2 team in the Sun Belt right now. We were able to go out and compete against their No. 1 pitcher who has beat some of the top-25 teams, so for us that was a huge positive."

Behind a gem of a performance from UTA starter Sam Clakley in Game 1, the Mavs blanked the Bobcats to tie for its largest victory over the in-state rival of six runs, achieved three previous times in program history and last in 1999. Clakley finished with just three hits against, struck out five in improving to 22-12 to break a tie for fifth most wins in single-season history.

Four Mavs registered multiple-hit games, led by a 3-for-3 game from Laura Curry who also finished with two runs scored. Krista Rude, Whitney Walton and Kacey Everett each joined in on the fun with two-hit games. Sandra Mendoza finished 1-for-3, knocking in two runs and cross the dish twice.

With each pitcher holding the opponent at bay early, it was the Mavs that broke through with two runs coming in the third. A wild pitch combined with a throwing error brought in Rude from second. Walton followed it up to bring home another, this time coming on a single to right to plate Mendoza.

The Bobcats tried to counter in the fourth, but the UTA defense stepped up once again. UTA turned its 29th double play of the year, entering the day best in the Sun Belt and third in the nation.

After the pitchers continue to be a force - combining to strike out 10 through four frames, UTA doubled up its score with two runs in the fifth and another pair in the sixth.

Three consecutive singles got UTA on the board in the fifth as Sandra Mendoza drove in her sister Melanie from second on a single to left. Texas State's third error of the day brought in another run as the second baseman dropped a fly ball off the glove to allow Sandra to run in.

Another wild pitch helped bring in Everett in the sixth and Mendoza drove in another RBI on a sac fly to complete the game's scoring.

Texas State's offense came alive in Game 2 by scoring in each of the first four innings to build up an 8-3 lead in the fourth. Three homers helped along the offense, while UTA picked up offense from runs scattered over the second and third innings. Shelbi Sikes chipped into the lead with a RBI single in the second, and Walton and Wright combined to bring in runs on back-to-back fielder's choice plays.

Sikes led the way for the Mavs' offense in the finale with a pair of hits.

"The team understands that the line between wins and losses is very fine," Fox said. "No giving up free bases and taking the outs they give us. They know what is expected of them and I really like how they never quit.

"They kept trying to scratch. We forced them to bring their No. 1 back in in the second game and that's something we hope will help us tomorrow."