ARLINGTON, Texas – Following a four-game road-stretch, the UT Arlington softball team returns to the friendly confines of Allan Saxe Field for a three-game series against Sun Belt foe, UL Monroe, this Friday through Sunday. The series will begin a stretch where the Mavericks will play seven home games in nine days.

MATCHUP: UTA (18-22, 6-9 SBC) vs UL Monroe (7-31, 3-11 SBC)
WHEN: April 12-14
WHERE: Arlington, Texas | Allan Saxe Field
GAME 1 (5 p.m.): WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
GAME 2 (1 p.m.): WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
GAME 3 (12 p.m.): WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

SERIES HISTORY
UT Arlington leads the all-time series 53-52, but have lost three of the last four against the Warhawks. Monroe took the series over UTA last season.  After the Mavericks run-ruled the Warhawks in game one, ULM came back to win the final two games, 4-2 and 7-6 to clinch the series win. It marked the first series win for ULM over UTA since 2002. They have not won back-to-back series over the Mavs since 1999-2000.

UTA NOTES
• The Mavericks have failed to hit a home run in nine straight games.  Their last dinger came on March 26 in their first game against #13 Arkansas.  UTA is currently second to last in the Sun Belt with 12 home runs on the season, ahead of ULM, who has eight.
• Laura Curry has been a force on offense this year.  She currently ranks in the top three in the Sun Belt in batting average (2nd), hits (1st) and is ranked as the toughest to strike out in the league.
• Only five players remain error free on the year in the Sun Belt Conference.  UTA has two players on that list.  Krista Rude and Shelbi Court are fielding 1.000.
• UTA is looking to end a four-game skid and get back on track to end the season strong. Ten of their final 13 games will be played at Allan Saxe Field, where they are 9-4 on the year.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | UL MONROE
• The Warhawks have only scored 114 runs on the year, the second least amount scored in the Sun Belt.
• Sydney McKay leads the ULM offense in every category.  She is first in batting average (.412), hits (49), runs (21), RBI (17) and stolen bases (13). Her .412 batting average also leads the Sun Belt.
• Pitching has not been a strong suit for the Warhawks this season.  They have a Sun Belt worst 6.00 ERA as a pitching staff.
• The Warhawks are not known for the power at the plate. On the season, they have only hit eight home runs, worst in the Sun Belt.

ON DECK
The Mavs take on Texas for a midweek game at Allan Saxe Field on Tuesday, April 16.  Reminder that dogs will not be allowed during the Texas game only.

LAST TIME OUT | Mavericks Lose on Walk-Off at Sam Houston (April 9)
The UT Arlington softball team (18-22) fell to the Sam Houston State Bearkats on a walk-off home run Tuesday evening in Huntsville.
 
After getting two runs off two hits to start the game, UTA got just one more hit the rest of the game.  Whitney Walton, Aileen Garcia and Bri Burchianti each finished with one hit, with Burchianti knocking in the two RBI.
 
Randi Phillips started in the circle for the Mavericks, allowing two runs off four hits in 4.1 innings pitched.  Allie Gardiner replaced Phillips in the fifth inning, pitching the remaining 1.2 innings.  She allowed one run off two hits.
 
Following a scoreless first inning, Aileen Garcia got things rolling for the Mavericks, leading off the second inning with a double to left center. After Shelbi Court was hit by a pitch, Bri Burchianti drove in the first two runs with a single that found the gap in right center.
 
The Bearkats used a leadoff solo home run by Tiffany Thompson in the bottom of the fourth to score their first run and make it a 2-1 game.
 
Sam Houston came back in the fifth inning to tie the game.  Following a leadoff single by Bailey White, she advanced to second with a sac bunt before advancing to third off an error trying to tag her out at second.  The Bearkats connected on a double to drive in the tying run.
 
Walton singled to start the sixth inning, giving the Mavericks their first baserunner since their second inning scoring spurt. UTA couldn't bring her home, however, leaving her stranded at third.
 
After a line out to start the inning, the Mavs got two bases runners in the seventh inning of the tied ball game. With runners at first and second, UTA was unable to score the go-ahead run, ending the inning with a pop out and strike out.
 
The Bearkats wasted no time ending the game in the bottom frame, hitting a walk off home run with the leadoff batter to win the game 3-2.

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.'
 
April 16th games (Softball vs. Texas, Baseball vs. TCU) no dogs will be allowed on that date only.
 
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.