SAN MARCOS, Texas – A back-and-forth battle ensued at the Bobcat Softball Stadium on Wednesday during the opening day of the Sun Belt Tournament between UT Arlington and Coastal Carolina.  The Chanticleers got the best of the Mavericks using four runs over the final two innings to defeat UTA 5-4.  The Mavericks move to the elimination bracket and will play tomorrow (May 9) at 5:30 p.m. against a team to be determined.
 
"We have to be more aggressive early on and not take so many strikes," Head Coach Peejay Brun said. "When it comes to pitching we just need to make sure we keep the ball down, especially against home run hitting teams."
 
The scoring got started in the third inning, where the Chanticleers showed off their power with a solo home run over the left field wall by Mackenzie Beyer to take a one run lead.
 
The Mavericks looked to answer in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with Brittany Wyllie, Whitney Walton and Krista Rude with two outs. A strikeout ended the inning and threat for the Mavericks, however.
 
A walk and a single started the fifth inning for the Mavericks. With two base-runners on, Walton drove a ball over the left field wall to give the Mavericks their first lead of the day, 3-1.
 
The lead didn't last long for the Mavericks as the Chants used the same blue print to replicate UTA's success.  A walk and a single put runners at first and second before Natalie David connected on a three-run home run to put Coastal back on top by one run.
 
UTA bounced back in the bottom frame, quickly loading the bases off two singles and a walk.  Melanie Mendoza hit a blooper to right field to bring home the tying run, but the Mavs were unable to get any more, ending the inning with a pop out and ground out.
 
The hot bats continued for the Chants, putting runners on the corners with one out.  Stavi Augur connected on a deep fly ball right field. Bri Burchianti was able to expand her range and make the catch, but the runner on third tagged and scored to give Coastal the 5-4 lead.
 
A two-out rally began for the Mavericks in the bottom of the seventh, staring with a Reagan Wright single through the left side of the infield.  KJ Murphy followed with a double to push Wright to third base.  The threat ended with a strikeout, ending the game and giving the Chants the win.
 
"The energy is there. The focus is there. It's just making sure that we get back to playing the game we play and not try to do too much," Brun said.