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May 1, 2007

Softball

UTA stuffs Sugar Bears

Fortenberry breaks the home run record as the Lady Mavs get three wins.

Story by: Sean McNamara

Contributor to The Shorthorn

The Lady Mavericks returned to their dominating form against Central Arkansas this weekend, sweeping a series on the road as first baseman Dee Jay Nelson broke UTA’s 25-year-old career home run record in back-to-back at bats.

“It was kind of surprising,” Nelson said. “Now I don’t have to worry about it anymore and can focus on the championship.”

The old record, 22, was set by Cindy Spradling in 1982. Nelson tied the record Saturday during her first at bat in game two’s first inning. She stepped up to the plate with two outs and blasted her 22nd home run down the left field line. She repeated it almost step-for-step in the third as she pounded her 23rd over the left center wall, again with two outs.

“I am very pleased,” head coach Debbie Hedrick said. “We did what we came to do.”

UTA shut out the Sugar Bears in game one on Saturday, 4-0, as pitcher Laura Jones went six innings without a hit. She allowed no runs and two hits, both in the seventh inning.

The Lady Mavericks won game two by 4-0 again, as freshman pitcher Cara Hulme, following in the veteran’s footsteps, only gave up a single hit in the seventh, striking out the first six innings.

“We controlled their game and put runs on the board,” Hedrick said. “We had solid pitching, solid defense and solid performances.

Sunday’s game was more of the same, producing a 5-1 Lady Mavs victory as shortstop Amanda Swofford blasted two pitches over the fence for the first time in her UTA career. Swofford put her first home run over center field in the second inning and her second came in the sixth inning and went over the right center wall.

“I’m just feeling comfortable in the box,” she said. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do — help my team out.”

Left fielder Katie Jones pushed her single-season home-run record to 13 in the third inning, showing why she’s the lead off hitter by sending the ball over left center.

Jones earned her second win in as many days after allowing just one run from four hits and striking out three in four innings of work. Her record improved to 14-4 for the season. Hulme received the save, her second of the year, after giving up no runs off two hits and striking out two in three innings of relief.

The Lady Mavs retain their first-place spot atop the SLC with a two-game lead over Sam Houston State. UTA’s overall record is now 34-14 and 19-5 in conference.

“We have to stay hungry, stay focused and go for it,” Nelson said about the team’s desire to finish her UTA softball career with a Southland Conference championship.