NATIONAL INVITATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Game 1 - Wednesday, May 16
UTA 9, Central Arkansas 1
CONWAY, Ark. - A big third inning highlighted by a Laura Curry grand slam lifted UT Arlington to its first postseason win since 2003, topping Central Arkansas 9-1 on Wednesday night in the National Invitational Softball Championship first round.
The Mavericks advance to take on Texas Tech, who topped Stephen F. Austin earlier in the day, at 3 p.m. on Thursday for a spot in the Conway Regional championship game. The win pushed UTA to a 28-26 overall record, while improving its all-time postseason record to 3-4. UTA's last postseason win came in the NCAA Regionals against Florida in 2003.
Texas Tech and UTA are set for a rematch of an earlier meeting in February, UTA's home opener, and Brun is excited to see the energy displayed in a matchup that she's pointed to as a game the team has focused on.
UTA showed list rust after dealing with a four-hour rain delay that moved the start time to a 10 p.m. start, the latest of the year. Stranding opportunities coming in both the first and second innings, the Mavs broke the game open in the third with a pair of sacrifice flies coming from the bats of Aileen Garcia and KJ Murphy, following by the grand slam off the bat of Curry over the right-center field fence.
Game 2 - Thursday, May 17
UTA 9, Texas Tech 4
CONWAY, Ark. - UT Arlington advanced to the championship game of the Conway Regional after topping Texas Tech 9-4 on Thursday in the National Invitational Softball Championship.
The Mavericks (29-26) avenged an earlier-season loss to the Red Raiders with an offensive explosion that included a seven-run fourth frame to break open a 2-2 score. The Mavs advance into Friday's finale with first pitch at 12 p.m. against the winner of Texas Tech and Central Arkansas, who play at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening. UTA went to 4-4 all-time in postseason play, while ending a 10-game losing streak to the Red Raiders and second win against a Big 12 foe.
Game 3 - Friday, May 18
UTA 5, Texas Tech 2
CONWAY, Ark. - For the first time in program history, UT Arlington advanced out of a postseason regional after the Mavericks topped Texas Tech, 5-2, on Friday afternoon in the National Invitational Softball Championship Conway Regional finale.
Taking down the Red Raiders for a second consecutive day, the Mavericks (30-26) advance into the championship round of the tournament with the host site still to be determined. The win also clinched the program's first back-to-back seasons with 30 or more wins since 2007. Reagan was named the Regional MVP, hitting .500 in three games with four hits, three runs and two RBI, while featuring a .500 slugging percentage and .600 on-base percentage. Details for the four-team Championship round will be announced over the weekend.