COLLEGE STATION – The UT Arlington softball team (10-9) will take on an SEC opponent on Wednesday, March 6 when they take on the Texas A&M Aggies at 4 p.m. at Davis Diamond in College Station.
 
SCOUTING REPORT
Texas A&M (14-6) is currently on a five-game winning streak, going undefeated at the Texas A&M Invite last weekend.  The Aggies defeated the likes of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Lamar and Longwood.

The Aggies have two batters hitting over .400 on the year – Kelbi Fortenberry (.459) and Payton McBride (.415).  Fortenberry and McBride also both lead in the team in RBI with 17 and 15, respectively.  A third batter, Riley Sartain, has been the three-hole hitter for A&M this season, hitting a team-high five home runs on the year.
 
On the bases, the Aggies choose opportune times to steal a base, getting caught stealing just once out of their 31 attempts on the year.  Fortenberry is their best thief, as she's a perfect 10-for-10 on the season.
 
Along with being one of their top offensive weapons, McBride is also their top pitcher, posting a 7-0 record in 12 appearances in the circle, while allowing just 1.94 runs. Kayla Poynter (2.47 ERA), Kendall Potts (4.96 ERA) and Hannah Mayo (4.12 ERA) are the likely bullpen pitchers.
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
UTA (10-9) is coming off a tough weekend at the Texas Tech Invitational where they went 1-3 against North Texas and #16 Texas Tech. One of the bright spots for the weekend, however, was Whitney Walton, who hit .647 to increase here season average to a team-high .475.
 
On top of leading the Mavs in the batter's box, Walton is also tops in the Sun Belt in batting average, on base percentage (.587), hits (28), walks (15) and doubles (6).  She is second in runs scored (19).
 
As a team, UTA has the second-best batting average in non-conference play among Sun Belt teams, hitting a combined .299 on the year.
 
Randi Phillips (5-4) and JoJo Valencia (3-1) have been the starters for the Mavs this season, earning 18 of the 19 starts on the year. They will look to rebound from the weekend and get back on track against the Aggies.
 
NEXT UP
The Mavs will open Sun Belt Conference play with a three-game series against South Alabama on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (March 8-10) at Allan Saxe Field.
 
BARK IN THE PARK…ALL SEASON LONG
UT Arlington Department of Athletics officials announced that all 2019 home baseball games at Clay Gould Ballpark and softball games at Allan Saxe Field will be dog-friendly, thanks to a generous partnership with upstart Lone Star Friends of Animals to create 'Casey's Corner.'
 
Dogs which are leashed, at least six months old and with the proper vaccinations will be permitted at all UTA baseball and softball games throughout the season.
 
Casey's Corner is a grassy area between the baseball and softball fields, along the 3rd-base line of the baseball stadium. Multiple pet waste stations have been set up, and the space provides fans and dog owners an opportunity to walk and sit with their canine companions while taking in all the Maverick action.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual and season tickets are now on sale for the 2019 UT Arlington softball season. All seating is general admission, and tickets can be secured by logging on to UTATickets.com.

FOLLOW THE MAVS
For the latest news on UTA Softball log on to UTAMavs.com or stay connected to the Mavs on social media. Follow the Mavericks on Twitter @UTASoftball.