ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Appalachian State softball heads back to Boone after a Sun Belt series sweep by UT Arlington. The Mountaineers fell to the Mavericks 3-7 in the final game of the series.
Defensive errors played a role in the Mountaineers' 3-7 loss. Only two Maverick runs were earned. The Mountaineers had six hits, three each against UTA pitchers Valencia and Phillips.
Laura Sales led the Mountaineers, going 2-3 with two singles.
The Mountaineers put up their first run of the game in the top of the third.
Haley Stewart singled to left field to start off the inning. Two outs followed, but
Laura Sales singled to third base to keep the Mountaineers swinging.
Alisha Josey was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Jenny Dodd's walk earned the RBI and a run for the Mountaineers.
UTA answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. A two-out walk followed by three base hits up the middle put two on the board for the Mavericks.
No runs scored in the fourth, but the Mountaineers added two in the top of the fifth inning to regain the lead 3-2.
Megan Walker slapped one through the left side to lead off and advanced to second base on a wild pitch.
Keri White singled to shallow centerfield while Walker advanced to third. White stole second to position two Mountaineers in scoring position.
Heather Josey brought in the first run of the inning for the Apps with a sacrifice fly to centerfield on the warning track. When
Alisha Josey grounded out to the pitcher, White scored the go-ahead run in a diving play at home plate.
The Mountaineers got out of two bases-loaded situations throughout the series finale, but the third time presented trouble in the bottom of the fifth inning. A walk and an error on the fielder's choice play from Walters put two runners on for the Mavericks. The next batter reached on a throwing error by third baseman, White, to score an unearned run. Three base hits and White's second error of the game allowed the other four runs for UTA in the fifth.
The Apps were unable to score in their final two innings on offense, allowing UTA to take the win.
App State returns to action on Tuesday, April 3 for a midweek non-conference doubleheader against Western Carolina at 4 & 6 p.m. ET.
