ARLINGTON, Texas – After getting back to their winning ways over the weekend, the UT Arlington softball team will welcome #11 Texas to Allan Saxe Field for an in-state battle on Tuesday, April 16. Due to anticipated crowd sizes, no dogs will allowed at the game. Baseball will be playing against TCU at the same time, but fans will need separate tickets to go to each game, for this game only.

MATCHUP: UTA (21-22, 9-9 SBC) vs #11 Texas (35-9, 7-3 Big 12)
WHEN: April 16
WHERE: Arlington, Texas | Allan Saxe Field
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

SERIES HISTORY
The Longhorns have a commanding lead in the series over the Mavericks, owning a 23-2 record in the all-time series. This is the first time the teams have met since Texas defeated UTA 8-0 in 2015. UTA has lost 15 straight in the series with the last winning coming in a 4-3 victory in 2001.

UTA NOTES
• UTA is looking to win their fourth game against a ranked Big 12 opponent this season.  They have already defeated then-#16 Baylor twice and took down #13 Oklahoma State two weeks ago at Allan Saxe Field.  The only Big 12 opponent to get the best of the Mavericks was #18 Texas Tech.
•  Despite featuring two teams in the bottom of the Sun Belt in home runs, last weekend's match up provided plenty of fireworks.  The two teams combined to hit seven home runs in the three-game series, including a walk-off from Melanie Mendoza - her first of the season and second of her career.
• Laura Curry continues to lead the Sun Belt in hits, but is also beginning to creep her way into the top ten nationally.  Curry's 58 hits on the season is the 12th most in the NCAA, and just nine being the leaders Nierra Lange (George Washington) and Katie Yun (Ohio).
• Aileen Garcia looks to become the fifth Maverick to reach base in ten straight games.  She has currently reached a base in nine straight, dating back to March 30 at Troy.  Laura Curry has the season high of 19 straight games.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | TEXAS
• The Longhorns have been dominate in the circle this season.  They have the third most shutouts in the country, preventing teams from scoring 18 times this season.  They also have the third best team ERA as their pitching staff has a 1.44 ERA this season.
• Shealyn O'Leary is a big part of the team pitching success, leading the nation in ERA.  She allows just over half a run per seven innings (0.51).
• Texas is fourth in the Big 12 in home runs, hitting 34 on the season. Mary Iakopo leads the Longhorns with nine home runs.
• While the Longhorns are 21-2 at home, Texas has struggled on the road with five of their nine loses coming in true road games.

ON DECK
The Mavs will wrap up their seven-game home stand with a three-game conference series against Coastal Carolina beginning Thursday, April 18 at Allan Saxe Field.

LAST TIME OUT | Softball Completes Sweep of ULM (April 14)
The UT Arlington softball team (21-22, 9-9 Sun Belt) completed their sweep of UL Monroe on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Warhawks in doubleheader action 3-2 and 11-7.  The Mavericks had to use extra innings for a second straight game in game one to defeat ULM.
 
Allie Gardiner started her first game in game one, giving up two runs off six hits in 5.1 innings.  Laura Henriksen pitched 1.2 innings, while allowing one hit before Randi Phillips finished the game, pitching three innings and allowing just two hits as the Mavs completed their comeback.
 
In game two JoJo Valencia started, but lasted just one inning before Phillips replaced her.  Phillips pitched three innings before Gardiner came in to pick up her second save of the season.
 
In the two games played, UTA finished with a combined 24 hits.  Laura Curry had a dominate afternoon, going 7-for-9 at the plate, scoring three times and knocking in four runs. Melanie Mendoza served as the savior in game one, hitting the walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10^th inning, her first of the season and second of her career.
 
GAME ONE RECAP
 
Scoring had to wait until the third inning, when ULM used a double to right center to push a base runner from first base to home, taking the early lead.
 
An inning later, the Mavericks used their speed to tie the game.  Laura Curry beat out a bunt before stealing second.  Aileen Garciaused a sacrifice bunt to advance Curry to third, while Reagan Wright brought her home with a ground out to shortstop.
 
Just as the Mavs felt the momentum going their way, the Warhawks snatched it back, hitting a solo home run to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning.
 
UTA tied the game in the sixth when Bri Burchianti scored off a Laura Curry double deep to center field, bouncing off the wall, forcing extra innings after neither team could score in the seventh.
 
The Mavs had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and ninth innings, but couldn't bring a run home until Mendoza smashed a solo home run as the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 10^th inning.
 
GAME TWO RECAP
 
UTA took their first lead of the series that didn't end the game in the bottom of the first with a two-run blast by Aileen Garcia. Garcia scored Walton who reached on a leadoff double.
 
ULM used two explosive innings to take a decisive four-run lead over the Mavericks.  The Warhawks hit three-run jacks in both the second and third innings, to take a 6-2 lead.  From there, it was all Mavericks.
 
UTA got one back in the third coming off a Wright single that found its way to left field, before exploding for seven runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. Much like game one of the series, the Mavericks took advantage of an error filled inning by ULM to regain their advantage.
 
After taking a 10-6 lead, the Mavericks allowed one last run to the Warhawks, coming off a solo home run in the top of the fifth.  UTA would push their lead back to four with another Curry RBI, this time scoring Krista Rude to make it 11-7.
 
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.