The team cheers on fifth-year outfielder Kelsey Creech after a home run during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Creech had one hit.
UTA (6-8) hosted the Boerner Invitational over the weekend at Allan Saxe Field. The team won two games and dropped three.
Before game one, the Mavericks honored the late Melissa Boerner, a former UTA softball player who was killed by a drunken driver before her senior year in 1998, unveiling a panel in the outfield featuring her replicated jersey.
After the unveiling and ceremonial first pitch, UTA was ready for its double header against Wichita State University (8-5) and Creighton University (5-10).
Fifth-year outfielder Kelsey Creech hits the ball during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Creech had two runs batted in.
The Mavericks scored four runs across the two games. Wichita State held them scoreless in a 6-0 loss, and Creighton took the second game 11-4, leaving UTA winless on Friday.
Cameron Cooper, redshirt sophomore utility player, cheers during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Cooper had two at bats.Â
UTA bounced back Saturday afternoon with a tight 8-7 win over the University of South Dakota (3-12). The Mavericks got one run in the third inning, then exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fourth, just enough to get them the win.
South Dakota bounced back later that night with a decisive 15-7 win over UTA. The Mavericks are 1-6 this season in games where their opponents score 10 or more runs and are 5-2 when the pitching staff allows fewer than 10 runs.
UTA ended the invitational with a rematch against Creighton.
After three scoreless innings, Creighton struck first with two runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Creighton’s two-run lead was cut in half when UTA fifth-year outfielder Kelsey Creech hit a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the fourth inning. She finished the game with two RBIs, accounting for half the team’s scoring.
After some back and forth, the game went into extras tied at two. Creighton scored a run, so UTA had to score two runs if it wanted to end the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Fifth-year outfielder Kelsey Creech slides to home base during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Creech had two runs.
AÂ bases-loaded walk tied the game. Senior center fielder Marley Neises stepped up to the plate with two hits already to her name, looking to end the game.
Neises hit a rocket that Creighton’s third baseman couldn’t handle, scoring the runner from third and walking the game off.
The Mavericks will travel to Nacogdoches, Texas, to take on Stephen F. Austin State University at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at SFA Softball Field.
Maddie Furniss, sophomore right hand pitcher, pitches the ball during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Furniss had two base on balls.
Fifth-year outfielder Kelsey Creech runs after hitting the ball during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Creech has two home runs so far this season.
Senior utility player Marley Neises attempts to hit the ball during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. Neises had three hits.
Junior shortstop Peyton Holland, left, and Maddie Furniss, sophomore right hand pitcher, hug after a successful play during a game against Creighton University on Feb. 22 at Allan Saxe Field. UTA won 4-3.
@diegocllazo