HONOLULU – Facing the #1 team in the nation UCLA, and following it up a few hours later against a Fresno State receiving votes in the national polls, the UT Arlington softball team (0-2) opened its 2019 season with two formidable opponents, performed more than admirably, but ultimately fell just short in both contests to lead off Hawaii's Paradise Classic.
 
The Mavericks suffered a 2-1 setback to the #1 Bruins, and then fell in 9 innings to the Bulldogs, 5-4.
 
Aileen Garcia paced the UTA offense for the day, going a combined 3-6 at the plate with a double, two RBI, four total bases and a walk. Melanie Mendoza, Krista Rude, Whitney Walton and Laura Curry all collected two hits over the two games, with Curry and KJ Murphy each driving in a run as well.
 
In the circle, Randi Phillips started the opener against UCLA, tossing 4.2 innings for the Mavericks, surrendering two earned runs on five hits and a pair of walks. Allie Gardiner came on in relief in the 5th inning and finished the game, allowing just a single hit in her 1.1 innings.
 
In the second game against Fresno State, Phillips once again got the start, hurling four innings of four-hit, two-earned ball before handing the duties over to JoJo Valencia for three innings in which she scattered just one hit and allowed two runs (only one of which was earned). Gardiner then was saddled with the tough-luck loss after throwing two no-hit innings as the winning run came across on a throwing error after the leadoff runner had automatically been placed at 2nd base.
 
UCLA RECAP
UTA ended the game with the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the top of the 7th.
 
Bubba Nickles drove both of the Bruins' runs home, first with a single in the top of the 1st. Nickles then hit a solo home run to center field to give UCLA a 2-0 lead in the 4th.
 
UTA began its comeback when Murphy reached base on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the 6th. Walton scored the Mavericks' only run of the game on the play.
 
UTA managed two hits off UCLA starter Megan Faraimo, but they also drew four walks. Faraimo pitched 5.1 innings for the Bruins.
 
In the 7th, Rude commenced the UTA comeback attempt with a two-out single down the left-field line. Walton was then hit by a pitch to move the tying run into scoring position and the potential go-ahead and winning run on base. However, that would be as close as the comeback would get for the Mavs.
 
FRESNO STATE RECAP
In the nightcap, Fresno took a 2-0 lead into the UTA portion of the 5th when Garcia tied the contest in the bottom of the frame as she received the green light with a 3-0 count and laced a single through the right side of the infield to score Walton and Rude. The Mavs then took the lead in the 6th after Curry singled to bring home Cy'Andria Newton.
 
Fresno State tied the game with two outs in the 7th, and then reclaimed the lead in the 8th, 4-3. However, UTA wouldn't go down without a fight as Brittany Wyllie scored the tying run on a wild pitch after reaching base earlier in the inning with a full-count single to right center. The Bulldogs scored the winning run in the 9th, however, off a throwing error to send the Mavs to their second one-run loss of the day.
 
UTA returns to action on Friday with a pair of late afternoon/early evening tilts versus Saint Mary's at 6 p.m. (2 local) and host Hawaii at 8:30 p.m. (4:30 local). The trip will conclude with a matchup against fellow Sun Belt Conference member Georgia State on Saturday at 1 p.m. (9 local).