Arlington – Behind Madison Miller's three-run bomb to center field, the UT Arlington softball team run-ruled the Texas Southern Tigers in its home-opener on Friday night as the Mavericks put up five runs in the fourth inning to go on to win 8-0 after just six frames of softball at Allan Saxe Field.
 
After the start-time was pushed back over an hour, RC Phillips took to the circle for the Mavs on a frigid night and dominated the Tigers through all five frames she pitched, finishing with an opposing batting average of .158 while allowing only four batters to get on base all game.
 
"The team came out fired up," said head coach Peejay Brun. "I was a little worried with the game time being pushed back so much, but they really brought it tonight."
 
Inside the Box Score
Six different Mavs came up with a hit tonight, including sophomore Kimber Cortemelia and freshman Reagan Hukill who finished with three base-knocks a piece. The multi-hit games mark the second time each have accomplished the feat this season through only six games.
 
The Tigers' back-breaking blow came off the bat of Miller who blasted a three-run home run to deep center field in the fourth inning. The junior tacked on another RBI on a sac fly in the fifth inning to finish with a career-high four runs batted in.
 
Phillips and freshman Kenedy Hines combined to throw a six-inning shutout, compiling a total of three strikeouts while allowing a total of four hits all game.
 
The Rundown
Senior shortstop Whitney Walton got things started off on a high note by leading the game off with a single to center field. After Brittany Wyllie sacrificed her over to second, Cortemelia came up with her first hit of the game with a bunt single, moving Walton to third. Aileen Garcia proceeded to drive in the Mavs' first run of the game with a groundout to shortstop, allowing Walton to easily score.
 
After two innings of zero-run softball, Cortemelia started off the fourth with a double to left field, following it up with a stolen base on the very next pitch. Senior catcher Reagan Wright came to the plate and knocked her in with a single up the middle for her third RBI on the season.
 
Miller then drove her and pinch runner Alyssa Okada in with her first home run of the year and the second of her career.
 
Hukill kept the inning going with her second hit of the ball game. After the freshman stole second for her first stolen base of the season, Walton knocked her in for the shortstop's first RBI of the season.
 
The Mavs would tack on two more runs, the first coming in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly from Miller to drive home Garcia for the seventh run of the game. The eighth and final run came off the hot-hitting bat of Cortemelia, singling to drive home Jadyn Erickson who led off the sixth inning with a walk.
 
On Deck
UTA continues its home-stand with a doubleheader tomorrow in the Maverick Classic versus Stephen F. Austin at 4:30 p.m. followed by a nightcap against Kansas City with first pitch slated for 7:00 p.m.