ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington head softball coach Peejay Brun released the 2021 schedule Thursday as the Mavericks look to continue what they started last year. The 53-game schedule includes five opponents ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25, with two of those in the top 10.
 
This year's schedule for the Mavericks includes two home tournaments, hosting Texas and Baylor, 12 games against SEC and Big 12 opponents and a rematch of the 2019 NISC Championship with Iowa State.
 
"This is one of the tougher schedules that I've done, but I like the balance that we have," said Brun. "We're going to have some great competition throughout the whole season from the beginning to the end, which I think is going to make our program a lot better and really set us up for some possible postseason bids."
 
Due to COVID-19, no general public-admission spectators are permitted at home UTA softball games this season. More information regarding spectator policy, broadcast coverage and more is included at the end of this release. Additionally, all games are subject to change.
 
The Mavericks will face No. 22 Baylor in Waco for a midweek game to open up the season on Feb. 17. That weekend the Mavericks will host No. 18 Arkansas, Abilene Christian and Wichita State in the Maverick Classic (Feb. 19-21).
 
UTA will head to San Antonio for the three-day UTSA Classic beginning Feb. 26. The Mavericks are set to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Kansas and host UTSA.
 
The following weekend, UTA will welcome Corpus Christi, Iowa State, Missouri State, North Texas and Wichita State for a four-day tournament as part of the 2^nd Boerner Invitational (Mar. 4-7). The Boerner Invitational – named in honor of Melissa Boerner, a former UTA softball captain who was killed by a drunk driver the day before her senior year began in 1998 – is to help raise awareness to the importance of responsible drinking.
 
Following a mid-week game at No. 4 Oklahoma (Mar. 10), UTA begins Sun Belt Conference competition with a home series against Troy on Mar. 13. Due to COVID, Sun Belt play will change to two-day (DH) series when possible to limit time on the road.
 
The Mavericks will travel to UNT (Mar. 17) for mid-week play then welcome No. 9 Louisiana for a three-game conference series (Mar. 19-21), with the alumnae game on the 20^th. Following a mid-week away game at Stephen F. Austin (Mar. 24), UTA will face UTSA, South Dakota and Texas in Austin for the Bevo Classic Mar. 26-28.
 
Taking a break from mid-week play, the Mavs will host Georgia State (Apr. 10-11) and Appalachian State (May 1-2). Senior Day will be against the Mountaineers on May 2. UTA will close out the regular season in San Marcos for a three-game series against Texas State starting on May 6 and ending May 8.
 
The Sun Belt Tournament will take place in Troy, Ala., from May 12-16 and will be hosted by the Trojans. NCAA postseason competition kicks off May 21 with the first round of NCAA Regionals.
 
Softball Home Game Spectator Policy
Due primarily to COVID-related space constraints, general-public spectators are not permitted at home UTA softball games this season. UTA and the visiting team will be permitted a pass list – those individuals on the team-approved list will be allowed to attend. Those spectators will be seated in pods of four (4) socially-distanced seats, labeled for home or visiting team.
 
Guests are permitted to bring their own drinks and food as concessions will not be available. However, alcohol is not permitted. Tailgating is also prohibited.
 
The elevated berm beyond the outfield fence (which is not part of the softball complex) will be available for game viewing; however, social-distancing measures still apply. For those located on the berm, restrooms inside Allan Saxe Field will not be accessible.
 
There will be no postgame guest interaction inside Allan Saxe Field. There will be a designated area outside the stadium for those on the pass list to meet with student-athletes.
 
Dogs are welcome, and a short online waiver – which is good for the entire season – can be completed upon arrival.
 
Mask wearing and social-distancing mandates are in place whenever on campus, and Sun Belt Conference and university COVID protocols must be followed.
 
Softball Home Game Coverage
Due to contractual obligations between the Sun Belt Conference and ESPN, beginning in 2020-21 all live UTA Athletics game broadcasts must be shown on ESPN+ and adhere to minimum standards. Infrastructure is not in place to reach those standards; thus, there will be no live video broadcasts this year.
 
However, there will be a free live audio broadcast on UTAMavs.com for all home games. Additionally, Live stats will be available for each game as well, in addition to social-media coverage and postgame content. UTA Athletics' goal is to have full ESPN+ capabilities beginning in the 2022 season.