May 18: UT Arlington vs. McNeese State

UT ARLINGTON 4, MCNEESE STATE 3 (10)

NACOGDOCHES, TX – Despite dropping the first game of the Regional Championship, UT Arlington crawled all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to win, 4-3, in 10 innings over McNeese State and advance to the NISC Championship Round.

The Mavericks will travel to TC Colorado Field in Fort Collins, Colorado for the Championship Round. Action begins on Friday, May 24.

In game one, UT Arlington threatened early with bases loaded in the top of the 3rd inning. Alexsandra Flores wiggled her way out of the jam and left the Mavericks blanked on the scoreboard.
Flores relied heavily on her defense, forcing 11 ground outs and nine fly outs in the opening contest.

Justyce McClain’s RBI single broke the deadlock in the bottom end of the 3rd. The Cowgirls exploded for four more runs on a hits from Aubree Turbeville and Demi Boudreaux, and sacrifices from Cory McCrary and Kaylee Lopez.

Whitney Walton’s sacrifice gave UT Arlington a run in the fifth inning. Demi Boudreaux added a sixth insurance run in the sixth for McNeeese State (33-32).

Thirty minutes later, the two schools were back on the diamond for the decisive matchup

Both teams were in their respective grooves until the third inning. Kaylee Lopez, Aubree Turbeville and Toni Perrin each recorded a hit in the frame and vaulted McNeese State to a 3-0 advantage.

UT Arlington (33-27) were not about to go down quietly, however, Shelbi Court struck in the fifth inning with an RBI single to get the Mavericks on the board. In sixth, Laura Curry delivered a clutch two-RBI double to tie the game at three.

Neither side could muster a run as the game stretched well into extra innings. With two outs and two on, Aileen Garcia swung on the first pitch she saw, sending the ball to centerfield and bringing Krista Rude home for the game-winning run.

It’ll be the second straight year UT Arlington will play in the NISC Championship Round.