ARLINGTON, Texas – The UT Arlington softball team secured a 5-4 midweek contest victory over Baylor on Wednesday afternoon at Allan Saxe Field. Just two weeks after falling 8-0 to the Bears in Waco, the Mavericks flipped the script, responding to an early three-run deficit, using a key fifth-inning surge to take control and hold off the Bears.

The Mavericks now move to a 17-19 overall record.

At the plate, Valeria Feeney led the way, as she went 2-for-4. Kaitlyn Sailor had a huge impact in today's game with a team-high of 2 RBIs (1-for-2). Kelsey Creech and Kaylee Schweitzer each added an RBI as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears came out swinging, taking an early lead as Amber Toven singled to left center, driving in Brooklyn Carter from second for a 1-0 advantage. Toven later scored on a passed ball to extend the lead 2-0.
 
UTA answered in the bottom half of the inning, with Valeria Feeney scoring on a sacrifice fly from Peyton Holland to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
In the top of the second, Sa'Mya Jones reached on a sacrifice bunt following a throwing error, allowing Carter to cross the plate as Baylor pushed its lead to 3-1. Toven followed with a sacrifice fly to third base, bringing home Jones to make it 4-1.
 
The Mavericks were held scoreless in the bottom of the second, third and fourth. However, UTA's defense responded by also keeping Baylor off the board in the top of the third, the fourth and the fifth.
 
UTA's offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth, breaking through for a pivotal inning. Kelsey Creech drew a full-count RBI walk to score Mia McNulty, and one batter later, Kaitlyn Sailor delivered a two-RBI single through the left side, bringing home Holland and Marley Neises to tie the game at 4-4. Later in the inning, freshman Kaylee Schweitzer gave the Mavericks the lead with an RBI single to left center, scoring Creech, giving UTA a 5-4 lead.
 
The Mavericks held the Bears scoreless in the top of the sixth and UTA sealed the deal in top of the seventh, claiming the game at 5-4.

NEXT UP
The Mavericks will kick off another conference weekend series against California Baptist with a doubleheader scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday will headline as "Alumni Day", featuring a noon single game on Saturday at Allan Saxe Field.
 
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