SHSU faces tough foes in UTA Invitational
2/12/2015 12:00:00 PM | Softball
The Sam Houston State softball team will face four more tough opponents in a brand new venue this weekend as the Bearkats compete in the UTA Maverick Invitational in Arlington.
UT Arlington softball opens their new Allan Saxe Field with the tournament. The modern facility seats 622.
Sam Houston begins play in the tournament Friday with a 10 a.m. matchup with Ohio State. The Kats follow up with a 2:30 p.m. game against Buffalo.
On Saturday, the Bearkats take on Incarnate Word at 10 a.m. and Buffalo again at 12:30 p.m. Sam Houston wraps up play in Arlington on Sunday with a 10 a.m. game against host UT-Arlington.
Despite a 0-5 start last week against a strong field at the Texas State tournament, head coach Bob Brock has many positives to build upon going into the Arlington event.
Four Bearkats bring solid batting averages into the contests. Angelica Gonzales hit .545 in San Marcos last week, going 6-for-11 with four doubles and two home runs.Transfer Peyton Webb had a strong debut with a 6-for-14 performance at the plate for a .429 batting mean. Webb post three doubles.
Sarah Allison set a school record with seven RBIs in a one-run loss to Northern Illinois. The senior shortstop went 6-for-16 to hit .375 and ended the event with 9 RBIs. Infielder Dani Allen hit .333 in her new assignment as the Bearkats' second baseman.
The competition will be tough again in Arlington. Ohio State brings a 4-0 record to Texas. The Buckeyes are led by Cammi Pratt with a .600 batting average.
Buffalo stands 2-3 after the first weekend of the 2015 season. Alexis Curtiss is the team's top hitter with a .563 average. Host UTA is off to a 4-1 start. The Mavs feature dangerous long-ball hit Mya Anderson who launched three of the team's five home runs in their first weekend of play.
Incarnate Word brings 1-4 record into the UTA event. Danielle Ramirez leads the Cardinals with a .444 average.
Next up for the Bearkats after the UTA tournament will be a 2:30 p.m. game Wednesday, Feb. 18, in College Station with No. 2 ranked Oregon.
