March 14, 2018

Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - Ending a streak that saw UTA on the short end of several one-run losses, the Mavericks broke out in a big way in a 9-0 win over UIW on Wednesday at Allan Saxe Field in nonconference play.

Reagan Wright powered a three-run homer in the third to break things open as she finished 2-for-2 with four RBI and two runs scored. The effort improved UTA to 10-12 overall and snaps a five-game losing streak - four by the way of one-run set backs. KJ Murphy put the game away in the fifth to complete the run-rule with a two-run homer over the cenferfield fence.

"This win was really going to play a huge part in getting our confidence back," UTA coach Peejay Brun said. "Especially when you are losing those one-run games, it is hard to stay pumped up when that happens. To get this game going and pulling out nine runs brings the confidence back to the team and let them know that they can do it."

The pitching staff was just as impressive as the offense, limiting the Cardinals to just one free pass and making the visitors earn their baserunners. Randi Phillips got the start and went 4.2 innings, giving up just three hits and one walk, while striking out one to improve to 5-4. Alyssa Chavez had a short relief effort, but struck out the lone batter she saw.

"It was big," Brun said of her pitchers not allowing walks. "Coach Morgan talks to them about that all the time. We never want to do more than a walk a game, I prefer none. She did a great job in staying poised on the mound and I'm very happy with her perfromance."

UTA is back in action on Saturday when it starts a three-game Sun Belt series against Georgia State with a doubleheader opening at 1 p.m. Saturday is Bark at the Bark Day at Allan Saxe Field and Clay Gould Ballpark, with specials provided for fans that bring along their four-legged friends.

QUICK HITS:

• UTA is 10-10 in non-league games this season.
• UTA improved to 7-0 when leading after the fourth. UTA is 2-9 when trailing.
• The two-hit game was Wright's fourth of the season, second on the team. She leads with two four-RBI games.
• Whitney Walton improved her reach base streak to five games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Mavs wasted little time showing their intensity on Wednesday as Sandra Mendoza led the game off with a well-hit ball to the centerfield wall for a double. After Krista Rude pushed her over on an infield single, two hit-by-pitches would bring in the senior.

UTA doubled its tally in the second by the way of two UIW errors. An error put Laura Curry on, while another allowed her to come home for a 2-0 lead.

Along with Wright's three-run shot in the third, UTA strung together four hits, including a two-base error allowing Rude to score on a fielder's choice two batters later.

"I was just seeing the ball well and feeling it today, it just kind of went my way," Wright said. "I've never really had a feeling that I knew would go out as soon as I hit it, but that was the first time I've jogged out of the box and knew it was gone. That was a good feeling."

Wright opened up the fifth with UTA's second leadoff double of the day, Murphy ended the matchup with her home run to center.

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