An exciting schedule at Allan Saxe Field awaits UTA softball as coach Kristie Fox released the 2017 slate to the public.
The Mavericks will open the season with back-to-back road tournaments that begins at Arizona State and then sees the Mavs at Southeastern Louisiana. Road contests during the first two weekends of action feature games against Utah, Arizona State, New Mexico, Buffalo and Middle Tennessee State.
"This year we open up at a very strong tournament," UTA coach Kristie Fox said. "We are playing to Pac 12 teams right off the bat. It will be a good test for our young team and pitching staff. This year"s nonconference is really meant to prepare us for the strong Sun Belt Conference. We have got to the point where we know we can compete with anyone, we just need to find a way to sustain it through to the end."
Following its 10-game road trip to open the season, UTA returns to Allan Saxe Field for its home opener on Feb. 24 vs. Nicholls as part of a three-day tournament that also features UMKC and Wichita State.
Following a midweek doubleheader, UTA welcomes St. Francis, Incarnate Word and Tulsa on March 3-5.
"The program and location is attracting some top level programs from other leagues," Fox said. "This year we have a NCAA Regional team from last year coming in Tulsa."
Conference play begins for the Mavericks on March 11-12 when ULM comes to Allan Saxe Field for a three-game series. The home stand concludes with a non-conference match-up against former Southland Conference foe Stephen F. Austin on March 15 at 6 p.m.
UTA then hits the road to take on defending SBC champion Louisiana on March 18-19. The Mavericks" conference home slate sees South Alabama (April 15-16), newcomer Coastal Carolina (April 22-23) and in-state rival Texas State (May 5-6) at home.
"In this league, the travel schedule is pretty tough so having to play some of the toughest competition at home is a positive," Fox said. "We also have some in-state rivals coming for midweek games that should make for a fun family environment to see some of the state"s best ball players."
Paired with a strong conference schedule, the Mavericks have nonconference foes scattered throughout their slate. Houston Baptist (March 22), UNT (March 29) and Houston (May 2, DH) all come to face the Mavs at Allan Saxe Field.
The Sun Belt season culminates in the SBC Championship tournament hosted by Troy beginning on May 10.
The Mavericks opened the 2016 campaign with a program-best 19-game winning streak. UTA returns NFCA All-Region selections Sandra Mendoza and Krista Rude and a wealth of talent from its record-setting squad.
Information regarding season and single-game tickets as well as membership into UTA"s Diamond Club will be available in the coming weeks.
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