OREM, Utah - Following an exciting 6-2 victory over Baylor, the UT Arlington softball team (20-11) gears up for its three-game conference series at Utah Valley beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 27.
For the first time in program history, UTA was named to D1Softball's Mid-Major Rankings as the Mavericks tabbed the no. 25 spot. With the new additions of assistant coaches Hunter Bunch and Lauren Foster along with second-year assistant Elizabeth Mason, Dill and the Maverick squad have worked towards putting up solid numbers both offensively and defensively including sitting in 2nd place in conference standings, 4th in ERA and fielding percentage. Across the WAC, UTA ranks high in the following statistical batting categories: doubles (3rd, 44), home runs (4th, 21), walks (2nd,109), hit-by-pitches (3rd, 20).
Heading into this weekend, the Mavs have won three consecutive WAC series against Utah Tech (Mar. 7-8), Tarleton (Mar. 14-15) and Abilene Christian (Mar. 21-22), guiding them to a 6-3 record.
GAME INFO
OPPONENT: Utah Valley (8-20, 2-6)
WHEN: March 28-29
WHERE: Orem, Utah | Wolverine Softball Field
WATCH + FOLLOW: ESPN+ | Live Stats
UTA NOTES
- In the Mavericks' midweek win over Baylor, sixth year Emilie Hoelscher (5-4) got the win for UT Arlington (20-11). The lefty went 2.1 shutout innings, giving up two hits. Senior Jessica Adams also pitched well, going 2.2 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking two and striking out one.
- In the batter's box, the Mavericks were led by junior Elizabeth Baylor, who went 3-4 on the day with a double and an RBI. Junior Marley Neises furnished a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Junior Kailee Bautista also chipped in for UTA, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
- Overall, Bautista has is approaching an impressive .400 batting average as the junior leads the team with a .372 average along with a team-high 32 hits, 11 doubles, 21 RBI, 52 total bases, a .605 slugging percentage, 23 walks and a .530 on-base percentage. Additionally, the Rockwall, Texas product has produced nine multi-hit and five multi-RBI games so far this season.
- In conference play alone, Bautista holds the second-best batting average of .379, going 11-29 against opponents.
- Sophomore Emma Lopez has worked her way up to the second-highest overall batting average on the UTA squad as the lefty is batting .304. With a successful last eight games going 11-26 at the plate, Lopez has provided speed on the bases with clutch hits in important moments.
- Fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Sailor has been a big bat against conference opponents this season as she leads the Mavs with a .393 average in WAC action. The power hitter has played in all nine games, finishing 11-28 at the plate with five doubles, four RBI, 16 total bases and a .571 slugging percentage.
- Pitchers Hoelscher, Adams and Abi Gutierrez have spent the most time in the circle for the Mavs with Adams leading with 47.1 innings pitched. Hoelscher sits on the best ERA of 2.62 with two complete games, 20 strike outs and a 5-4 record.
- Lefty Gutierrez has tossed the most strike outs with 31 under her belt this season as the sophomore posts a 3.15 ERA. Gutierrez reached a new season high of 10 strike outs in a single game back at Tarleton on Mar. 15 from Stephenville.
ON DECK
UTA will turn its attention to its Tuesday night showdown with four-time National Champion Oklahoma on Apr. 1 with the first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Allan Saxe Field.
-- #BuckEm –
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