Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - A pair of big fifth innings and a walk-off hit in Game 1 helped UT Arlington complete the doubleheader sweep of Appalachian State on Friday at Allan Saxe Field. Laura Curry provided a game-winning single in Game 1 for a 7-6 win, followed by a 7-3 victory in Game 2.

The Mavericks improved to 16-16 overall and 6-4 as they clinched their third consecutive Sun Belt Series. Appalachian State went to 12-16 and 2-6 in league play. The fifth inning proved big in both games, 14 runs combined scored in it, including a mirror image in favor of UTA at 4-3 in both.

"The one thing that we were talking about all week is that our team needed to fight no matter what the score is," UTA coach Peejay Brun said. "It is nice to see them in both games answering back every time App State scored, for us to score runs. I think that is the key to our team, if we keep doing that we are going to keep getting wins."

Curry's game-winning hit was one of three for the junior on the day as she finished with three runs scored and three RBI. Reagan Wright shined in Game 2 with a hit a run and drove in the first four runs for UTA. Whitney Walton knocked three hits in Game 2 to go with a shot in the opener, scoring four times - three in Game 2 - to go with two RBI.

"Those are players that come out here and work hard on their hitting," Brun said. "We have been seeing Whitney start to really unleash with her bat. What you are seeing started in Coastal. She has been swinging really well. Laura struggled at Coastal, but it was nice to see her as she been out here working on her swing and it is paying off."

JoJo Valencia was credited with both wins as she started Game 2. Valencia pitched two frames in the day's opener, allowing three runs - one earned, while striking out two. In the finale she went 6.1 frames with three strikeouts and three earned against. Valencia improved to 7-11 overall. Randi Phillips closed out the sweep with 0.2 in the seventh, walking just one on the way to her third save.

UTA goes for its first season sweep on Saturday against the Mountaineers. First pitch on Blaze's Kids Club Day is at 12 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Neither offense could break through in the opening contest with each pitcher taming the opponent's offense through the first four innings of scoreless ball. Having left three on base in the previous inning, Appalachian State broke through with a three-run third, knocking around five hits as a string of doubles pushed App into the lead.

The Mavericks came right back with a big inning, taking advantage of errors and making good base-running decision to score four. Back-to-back errors put Sandra Mendoza and Krista Rude into scoring position with one out. Walton wasted little time driving them in on a triple into the right-center field gap. Aileen Garcia tied up the game with a single into right.

UTA added what appeared to be much-needed insurance in the sixth with Curry getting things going with a leadoff hit. Another App State error brought in a run, while a fielder's choice padded the lead.

However, App State rallied back in the seventh, scoring three runs to tie up the game with two outs and prevent Phillips earning the win in her start. Avoided extra innings, Curry provided the game winner with the bases loaded in the seventh as she snuck a grounder through the right side of the infield to bring in Cy'Andria Newton for the clincher.

Answering questions of a slow start, UTA wasted little time getting on the board in the second game. Mendoza opened the game with a walk and Walton reached on a a field error, stealing second and coming in with Wright's single through the middle.

Wright made it 3-0 in favor of the home team on a sacrifice fly to right, bringing in Walton. A five-hit fifth tied up the game at three, a rally that all came on two outs, including another two-RBI double from the Mountaineers.

UTA came right back with a four-run bottom half, answering the comeback bid for good.