Tickets are on sale for the First Pitch Fundraiser sponsored by Spring Creek Barbeque. The annual fundraiser benefiting the UT Arlington baseball and softball programs will take place Jan. 16 from 7-9 p.m. College Park Center's Hospitality Suite will host the unofficial start of the baseball and softball seasons.

"It's a great event for any baseball or softball fans, any of our Maverick club members, people in the Arlington community or for parents to come out and get to know our student-athletes better," Assistant Athletic Director Kris Wood said. "Attendees get a unique chance to have a laid back event where they can meet with the players and talk to them about school, what they expect out of their season, or what their future goals are."

Darin Thomas and Kristie Fox will look back on the 2014 season and preview their 2015 squads. Members of the 2015 baseball and softball teams, and former UTA players will also be in attendance.

The Mavericks baseball team is coming off of a 33-26 season that ended in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. UTA also had a record number of players taken in the 2014 MLB draft as six Mavs were selected, raising UTA's all-time draft total to 48 players.

The 2015 season will have UTA playing a 56-game slate that features a 26-game nonconference schedule and 30 games in the Sun Belt. The nonconference portion of the Mavericks schedule is highlighted by 10 games against schools from Power Five conferences, including a game against Texas at Globe Life Park.

Clay Gould Ballpark has undergone significant renovations over the past year which are highlighted by the addition of a clubhouse for the Mavericks. The clubhouse features a clubhouse, player lounge and coaches' offices. In addition to the clubhouse, the ballpark will also feature a new home dugout, a new outfield fence and a renovated press box.

"It's a good way to not only talk about last year, but also at the same time preview this year and get everybody excited about the start of the season," Thomas said. "We lost some players this past year who were part of a pretty good three year run, but I like our new guys we brought in."

The Lady Mavericks concluded their 2013-14 season with a 1-1 run in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. UT Arlington completed the season with a 21-33 record, including 4-16 in the SBC. Nina Villanueva was named first team all-conference after leading the team with a .348 batting average, including a .442 mark in Sun Belt action.

The Mavericks look forward to their tough yet fun spring schedule. UTA's schedule is highlighted with five matchups against teams from Power Five conferences, including Arizona, ranked No. 10 in the final 2014 NFCA Coaches Poll, Texas, Ohio State and two games against Texas Tech. The Lady Mavs open up the season on Feb. 6 against Tennessee-Martin at the 2015 Lion Classic I hosted by Southeastern Louisiana.

Allan Saxe Field will also feature a makeover that includes a clubhouse which will hold a locker room, player lounge and coaches offices. Other additions to the field will include a reconstructed playing field, new dugouts, new bullpens, new bleacher seating and a new press box.

"It's a really exciting time for us to recap last year and how well the team did and look at what we are expecting for this year," Fox said. "We have a lot of new faces and two seniors going out so it's a way to honor them, recap last year and get excited for the upcoming year."

Tickets for the First Pitch Fundraiser are $25 and available at UTATickets.com. Come out and enjoy an intimate gathering with your 2015 Mavericks.