SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team (27-21, 15-8 Sun Belt) will continue to jockey for position in the Sun Belt Conference standings with a three-game set to close the 2019 regular season against the UT Arlington Mavericks (27-23, 15-9 Sun Belt).

The series will begin with a 5 p.m. first pitch on May 2 at Allan Saxe Field in Arlington. Game two will start a 5 p.m. on May 3, while the series finale will open at 1 p.m. on May 4.

GAME INFORMATION – THURSDAY
5:00 p.m. CST | Allan Saxe Field
FOLLOW: Live Stats
WATCH: UTAMavs.com

GAME INFORMATION – FRIDAY
5:00 p.m. CST | Allan Saxe Field
FOLLOW: Live Stats
WATCH: UTAMavs.com

GAME INFORMATION – SATURDAY
1:00 p.m. CST | Allan Saxe Field
FOLLOW: Live Stats
WATCH: UTAMavs.com

ABOUT TEXAS STATE
After spending seven-straight games on the road, Texas State finally returned to Bobcat Softball Stadium for a four-game slate against Houston and Troy. The Cats split the four contests but was able to steal the series from the Trojans. TXST pitching was steady all week as the group surrendered just four earned runs in four games.

Senior outfielder Mari Cranek enjoyed a productive weekend in the batter's box. She started all four games in the second spot in the TXST lineup and responded with six hits in 12 official plate appearances for an average of .500. She notched one double, one RBI, and scored four times.

Freshman designated player Samara Lagway was steady at the bottom of the lineup. She reached base five times during the four-game stretch with three hits and two walks drawn for an on-base percentage of .500. One of her three hits came in the form of a double.

Junior infielder Hailey MacKay provided a run-scoring presence in the middle of the lineup for Texas State all week. She registered five RBI to lead the Bobcat offense. She also provided a couple of highlight-reel defensive plays that earned social media attention of NCAA Softball and Flo Softball.

Sophomore pitcher Meagan King lowered her earned run average to 2.92 after a solid week of work during the four-game homestand for TXST. She made appearances in all four contests with two coming in a starting role. She three 20.1 of the 27.0 possible innings against Houston and Troy and allowed only four earned runs to plate. She entered in relief to help the Bobcat pitching staff post a pair of combined shutouts.

ABOUT UT ARLINGTON
The Mavericks have been at their best this season at Allan Saxe Field. UTA holds a record of 17-5 in true home games and have taken 11 of the 12 league games played at home. UT Arlington has defeated ranked opponents Arkansas and Oklahoma State in Arlington this season.

Offensively, the Mavs boast four everyday starters with batting averages north of .300 led by Laura Curry. She is hitting .418 with 69 hits, five doubles, and 29 runs scored this season. Preseason all-league pick and sophomore catcher Reagan Wright is hitting .309 with a team-best five home runs and 34 RBI.

The pitching staff is susceptible to the long ball as the staff has allowed 55 home runs through 50 games this season. Sophomore pitcher Randi Phillips leads the Mavs in appearances (37), starts (25), innings pitched (158.2), and strikeouts (58). She has yielded 24 doubles and 28 home runs this season.

UP NEXT FOR THE BOBCATS
Texas State will host the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Championship beginning on May 8 at Bobcat Softball Stadium. A total of 12 games will be played over a four-game span with a championship and automatic bid into the 2019 NCAA Regional on the line.

For all things Texas State softball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.