University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

Comet Foursome Named To
NFCA All-West Regional Team
Arldt, DeLeon Picked For 2nd Team Honor

A group of four University of Texas at Dallas softball players have been named to the 2005 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-West Region team.

Junior infielder Sarah Arldt and sophomore pitcher Daci DeLeon were chosen as at-large members of the West Region Second Team, while freshman shortstop Amber Griffin and freshman outfielder Kate Lightfield were named to the Third Team as At-Large selections.

The team members were selected in voting by coaches who were members of the NFCA West Division. UTD had four of the American Southwest Conference's 12 selections on the team, along with Hardin-Simmons. The West Region includes schools in the ASC as well as several NCAA Division III leagues in California.

In addition to providing upperclassman leadership to the 2005 UTD squad, Arldt hit .392 and scored 23 runs while stealing 23 bases. DeLeon was the Comet's top pitcher with an 11-2 record and 1.14 ERA. She recorded 101 strikeouts in 86.0 innings of work in 2005.

Griffin led the Comets in hitting as a freshman, putting up a .414 average and reaching base on more than half her plate appearances. She also had 23 stolen bases. Lightfield finished the season strong, hitting .392 for UTD.


>>05.03.05
UTD Pitcher Daci DeLeon Selected
To ASC All-Conference Squad
Comet Shortstop Chosen East Division Freshman of Year

RICHARDSON, TX - University of Texas a Dallas pitcher Daci DeLeon was named as one of the three members of the All-American Southwest Conference pitching staff on the 13-member All-Conference team announced Tuesday.

DeLeon (SO; Kyle, TX) joined Louisiana College ace Sandi Clark and Hardin-Simmons multiple-honoree Arin Spence as one of the three top pitchers in the league.

In addition, DeLeon was one of two UTD selections on the ASC All-East Division First Team, along with teammate Stephanie Herrera (JR; Brazosport, TX), who was selected as the first team utility player. Freshman shortstop Amber Griffin was honored as the ASC East Division Freshman of the Year.

Griffin (FR; Richmond, TX) was one of four Comets who earned Honorable Mention All-East Division recognition in voting by the ASC coaches. Also part of the ASC East Division Honorable Mention squad were catcher Andrina Arenas (SO; Richardson, TX), second baseman Sarah Arldt (JR; Katy, TX) and third baseman Keely Jones (FR; Lake Jackson, TX).

DeLeon led the Comets' pitching fortunes in 2005, entering the post-season tournament with a 0.89 ERA and 10-1 record. She pitched three games in two days at the tournament, and ended the season at 11-2 with a 1.14 ERA.

Griffin, the Comets' leadoff hitter all season, led UTD in hitting in 2005 with a .414 batting average, scoring 22 runs with 15 RBI. She had nine extra-base hits, including four doubles and an inside-the-park home run.

Herrera contributed in every game for the Comets, either as a pitcher or designated hitter. She finished the season with a 6-4 record and 2.31 ERA while also hitting .321 with 11 RBI.

Arldt provided upperclassman leadership on the team and topped the squad, scoring 23 runs with a .392 average. Arenas led the Comets in doubles with 8 while hitting .284 and catching virtually every game. Jones, a medical redshirt from 2004, hit .252 in her first season, but drove in a team-best 23 runs.
Stephanie Herrera: East Division 1st Team Utility
Andrina Arenas: East Division Honorable Mention Catcher
Sarah Ardlt: East Division Honorable Mention 2nd Base
Keely Jones: East Division Honorable Mention 3rd Base


>>04.29.05
Comets Season Ends Just One Win Away From ASC Championship Game
G1: Texas Lutheran 4, UT-Dallas 1
G2: UT-Dallas 4, East Texas Baptist 3
G3: UT-Dallas 3, Texas Lutheran 0
G4: Louisiana College 7, UT-Dallas 0

IRVING, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team saw its season come to an end Saturday morning just one win short of a trip to the American Southwest Conference championship game when eventual tournament champion Louisiana College shut down the Comets, 7-0, in the final elimination game of the tournament.

After dropping its Championship Tournament opener Thursday night to Texas Lutheran, the Comets had rallied back Friday, winning a pair of elimination games over East Texas Baptist and TLU.

UTD dropped its first game of the tournament Thursday night, 4-1, to TLU; but rallied to come back for a 4-3 win against East Texas Baptist and then shut out Texas Lutheran in a rematch, 3-0. UTD's season ends at 25-17.

Louisiana College went on to win the ASC championship, taking three straight victories on Saturday. After defeating UTD, the Lady Wildcats pounded Hardin-Simmons twice in the finals, 8-3 and 9-0.

Junior 2B Sarah Arldt and sophomore catcher Andrina Arenas (above) were named to the ASC All-Tournament Team.

GAME 1: TEXAS LUTHERAN 4, UTD 1
Stephanie Herrera (pictured) got a triple and scored the Comets only run in a 4-1 loss in the opener, but gave up a three-run sixth inning from the pitching circle as Texas Lutheran University broke open a 1-1 tie with a four-hit inning.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, UTD tied the score when Herrera led off with a triple and scored when the TLU right fielder bobbled the ball attempting to throw home. TLU had scored an unearned run in the second set up by a throwing error on a play at first base. UTD managed just five hits against TLU ace Amanda Stevens.

GAME 2: UTD 4, ETBU 3
The Comets were three outs away from elimination from the tournament in their first elimination game on Friday, trailing the defending champion ETBU team 3-2 going into the seventh inning. But UTD got a game-winning, two-out, 2 RBI single from Keely Jones to score Karah Brazell and Sarah Arldt to send ETBU packing.

The most "heads-up" play of the game came from Arldt, who tagged up on a foul popup to get into scoring position for the game-winning hit from Jones.

Daci DeLeon started the game for the Comets, but was chased in a three-run ETBU fifth as the Lady Lions overcame a 2-0 UTD lead. Lindsey Hughes came in and threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to get the win. ETBU stranded nine runners - seven in scoring position - during the game.

GAME 3: UTD 3, TLU 0
DeLeon returned to the circle in the rematch with TLU, and this time regained her effectiveness to pick up Win No. 11 on the season. She shut down the Lady Bulldogs on four hits, striking out six.

The Comets got all the runs they needed on a two-RBI triple from Griffin to go up 2-0 in the second inning. They added a third run latter on a fielder's choice from Kate Lightfield, driving in Kelly Roberts.

GAME 4: LOUISIANA COL. 7, UTD 0
Making her third appearance in just two days, DeLeon got touched for the loss early with a first-inning run wild pitch that allowed LC to take a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Comets were managing just five hits against LC ace Sandi Clark and ran their way out of a run-scoring opportinity in the first when Arldt got doubled off second base on a fly ball to end the inning.

DeLeon got the Comets out of another jam in the third when she got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout. But LC made it 4-0 in the fourth with a three-run inning after scoring a pair of unearned runs. Only Kate Lightfield, who was 2-for-3, had multiple hits for the Comets.

LC met Hardin-Simmons in the tournament finals.
TLU 4, UTD 1
UTD 4, ETBU 3
UTD 3, TLU 0
LC 7, UTD 0


>>04.23.05
UTD Teams Move Up A Slot For Third Straight Appearances In ASC Tourney
Softball Team Opens Double-Elimination Meet Thursday;
Baseball Squad Plays Best-of-Three at Hardin-Simmons

Both the UT-Dallas baseball and softball teams will open play next weekend in the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournaments for the third straight year...and they'll be doing it one slot higher in the seeding than they anticipated a week ago.

The UTD softball team (23-15, 18-10) will begin play in the double-elimination ASC Championship Tournament Thursday night as the No. 2 seed from the ASC East Division. The Comets passed up ASC defending champion East Texas Baptist by sweeping doubleheaders against ETBU and LeTourneau in their final weekend of play while ETBU split a weekend doubleheader at UT-Tyler. The split left both the Comets and ETBU with identical 18-10 conference records, but UTD held a tiebreaker by taking 3-of-4 from the Lady Lions.

In baseball, the up-and-down season for the Comets (21-19, 11-10) ended on an upswing with a three-game sweep of Austin College. The sweep left UTD with an 11-10 ASC East record, identical to Mississippi College (which took 2-of-3 from ASC leader ETBU over the weekend). Again, the Comets took the No. 3 seed by virtue of the tiebreaker in their series win over MC earlier this year. As the East Division No. 3 seed, the Comets will open play in the ASC Championship Tournament with a best-of-three series at Hardin-Simmons (No. 2 West) in Abilene Friday.

SOFTBALL
The Comets will open the three-day, double-elimination ASC Championship Tournament at 7 pm Thursday night against Texas Lutheran University (22-18, 17-11) at Southwest Park in Irving, Texas. The winner of that game advances to play West No. 1 seed Hardin-Simmons at 11 am on Friday. In the other Thursday night opening game, ETBU (No. 3 East) meets Mary Hardin-Baylor (No. 2 West) for the right to meet East No. 1 seed Louisiana College Friday morning.

Elimination games in the tournament are scheduled for 1 pm Friday with winner's bracket games set for 3 pm Friday. The final elimination game is set for 11 am Saturday morning with championship game(s) at 1 and 3 pm (if necessary) Saturday.

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE 2005 SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT:
Thursday, 04.28.05 7 pm G1: Mary Hardin-Baylor (#2 W) vs. East Tx Baptist (#3 E)
7 pm G2: UT-Dallas (#2 E) vs. Texas Lutheran Univ. (#3 W)
Friday, 04.29.05 11 am G3: Louisiana College (#1 E) vs. Winner Game 1
11 am G4: Hardin Simmons (#1 W) vs. Winner Game 2
1 pm G5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4
1 pm G6: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 3
3 pm G7: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
3 pm G8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Saturday, 04.30.05 11 am G9: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 7
1 pm G10: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9
3 pm G11: (if needed)

BASEBALL
The Comets advance to the playoffs thanks to a new expanded format for the ASC baseball playoffs in 2005. The field and format were both expanded this year to qualify four teams from each division with the opening round featuring best-of-three series at the home sites of the top two seeded teams in the East and West.

UTD (No. 3 East) will meet Hardin-Simmons (No. 2 West), beginning with a 7 pm game in Abilene Friday. The two teams will play a second and (if necessary) third game, beginning at 1 pm Saturday. HSU is 24-16 overall with a 15-5 conference record.

Other first-round matchups will feature McMurry (No. 4 West) at East Texas Baptist (No. 1 East); Concordia-Austin (No. 3 West) at Louisiana College (No. 2 East); and Mississippi College (No. 4 East) at Texas Lutheran (No. 1 West).

The surving teams will then meet in a double-elimination tournament the following week, hosted by the highest remaining seed, with East Division teams getting first option.


>>04.26.05
DeLeon Takes ASC Pitcher of Week Award For Third Time This Season
Comet Hurler Improved to 10-1 With Pair of Victories

RICHARDSON, TX - University of Texas at Dallas pitcher Daci DeLeon became a three-time winner of the American Southwest Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week Award after posting a pair of wins last week.

The sophomore pitcher from Hays, Texas tossed a pair of complete-game wins during the Comets' 4-0 week, including a two-hit, 13-strikeout shutout of LeTourneau on the final day of the regular season. It was her ninth straight win as she improved to 10-1 and lowered her team-best ERA to 0.89 through 12 appearances.

She had previously held ASC defending champion East Texas Baptist to just four hits in leading the Comets to an important 3-2 victory.

She has now struck out 86 batters in 71 innings of work and limited opposing batters to a .149 batting average when she is in the circle.


>>04.22.05
Comets Tune Up For Playoffs With Pair of Two-Hit Shutouts Over LeTourneau
GAME 1: UT-Dallas 7, LeTourneau 0
GAME 2: UT-Dallas 11, LeTourneau 0

RICHARDSON, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team wrapped up its regular season Friday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep of ASC East foe LeTourneau that featured a pair of two-hit shutouts from pitchers Daci DeLeon and Candace Verstuyft.

DeLeon led the Comets (23-15, 18-10) to a 7-0 win the opener; then Verstuyft stifled the LadyJackets (12-26, 6-22) again on two hits in the second game, 11-0, on a five-inning run-rule decision.

In the meantime, the UTD offense exploded for 24 hits in 10 innings of softball, putting both games out of reach with a big inning that decided the outcome.

DeLeon, who improved to 10-1, was an umpire's call from throwing a one-hitter in the opener. She walked no one and struck out 13 batters, including a stretch of seven in a row at one point. Meanwhile, UTD got multi-hit performances from Amber Griffin, Sarah Arldt and Kate Lightfield and a three-RBI single from Stephanie Herrera. Up 2-0 after four, the Comets pushed four runs across in the fifth inning to put the win safely in the bag.

In the second game, Verstuyft only had one strikeout in five innings, but her defense backed her up and kept the LadyJackets at bay while the Comet bats came to life. UTD had a six-run, seven-hit third inning that pushed the score to 8-0, then added three more in the fourth. Keely Jones was 3-for-3 with two RBU while Arldt, Herrera, Lyndsi Ayers and Amanda Craig each added a pair of hits and drove in a combined five runs.

The Comets had already wrapped up a berth in the ASC Championship Tournament, which begins Thursday, April 28, at 7 pm at Southwest Park in Irving, Texas. Depending on what East Texas Baptist does against UT-Tyler on Saturday, the Comets could end up as either the East Division's No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Seeding in the ASC West is also still up in the air until the final weekend of the regular season ends Saturday.


>>04.19.05
UTD Clinches Playoff Spot, Pulls To Within Game of ETBU After DH Sweep
GAME 1: UT-Dallas 3, East Texas Baptist 2
GAME 2: UT-Dallas 6, East Texas Baptist 2

RICHARDSON, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team needed at least one win over ASC East power East Texas Baptist Tuesday afternoon to clinch its third consecutive post-season berth in the conference tournament. But after a pair of one-run wins, the Comets find themselves not only in the tournament, but just a game behind ETBU in the chase for the ASC East's No. 2 seed.

UTD (21-15, 16-10) got a five-hit day from Karen Niedweicki (pictured), who scored the winning run in a 3-2 win in Game 1, then started a rally with a 3-run homer in Game 2 to propel the Comets to a 6-5 victroy. The sweep dropped ETBU (21-12 overall) to 17-9 in converence.

Both teams have a weekend doubleheader left and the Comets could conceivably pass ETBU in the tournament seeding if they can win one more than the Lady Tigers this weekend. UTD holds the tiebreaker over ETBU now, having taken three of the four games between the two teams. The Comets meet LeTourneau in a pair on Friday, then ETBU meets UT-Tyler on Saturday to wrap up the regular season.

GAME ONE: UTD 3, ETBU 2
The Comets sent ace Daci DeLeon to the circle in the opener in hopes of wasting no time in wrapping up the playoff spot. DeLeon had tossed a one-hitter against ETBU last weekend and was in prime form through the first three innings. Amber Griffin and Keely Jones combined to put the Comets up 1-0 in the first, then Kate Lightfield made it 2-0 in the second, scoring on an RBI hit from Andrina Arenas.

But ETBU finally got its first two hits of the game in the fourth, putting together a double and single to get on the board. They then tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth with a leadoff single and two-out RBI hit. ETBU had just four hits and used them all to tie the game.

The Comets then got the game-winner in the ninth. Niedweicki led off with a single and moved to third with no outs as the Comets loaded up the bases on an error and another single. Sarah Arldt then doubled to the gap to drive in Niedweicki with the game winner.

GAME TWO: UTD 6, ETBU 5
The Comets again rallied late to claim the victory and the sweep. Down 3-0 after starter Jana Cain was touched for three runs in just two-thirds of an inning, UTD rallied to tie the game in the second when Kate Lightfield and Amanda Craig got aboard and Niedweicki sent the ball out just inside the leftfield foul pole for her first collegiate home run.

The Comets then took a one-run lead in the fifth (4-3) when Griffin scored on a Stephanie Herrera single. In the sixth, after two quick outs, Craig hit her second home run of the season over the centerfield wall to make it 5-3. Niedweicki then followed with a double and Arenas drove her home with the sixth run going into the seventh.

The Lady Tigers got a pair back by leading off the inning with a triple and a home run, and had the tying run in scoring position when UTD finally secured the final out of the game.


>>04.16.05
Split With Division Leaders Moves Comets One Step Closer To Post-Season
UT-Dallas 3, ETBU 0
ETBU 5, UT-Dallas 1

MARSHALL, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team moved to within just one win of making its third consecutive trip to the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament by splitting a doubleheader with East Division co-leader East Texas Baptist Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Daci DeLeon picked up her eighth win of the year in the opener, tossing a one-hit shutout as the Comets defeated the Lady Lions, 3-0. ETBU bounced back in the second game for a 5-1 win, but UTD got even better news later in the afternoon when it learned that Mississippi College (the team chasing it for the final ASC East playoff spot) had split its doubleheader with Louisiana College and was done with ASC East games at 15-13.

The UTD split left the Comets (19-15 overall) at 14-10 in the ASC with still four conference games on its schedule. Since UTD holds the tiebreaker over Mississippi College (thanks to a sweep of the Lady Choctaws earlier this season), UTD can clinch the third and final ASC East playoff spot with just one more win. The Comets host ETBU on Tuesday afternoon, then finish up their regular season at home against LeTourneau on Friday.

GAME 1: UTD 3, ETBU 0
DeLeon tossed a one-hitter, striking out eight on her way to an 8-1 start while her teammates pushed across three unearned runs against ETBU, which entered the series tied with Louisiana College for the ASC East lead.

The Comets got all the scoring they needed with their first hitter as Amber Griffin singled, moved to second on a passed ball, then scored when Keely Jones singled up the middle. UTD added two more unearned runs in the seventh when ETBU committed three errors. Amanda Craig reached on one miscue, then scored on another. Griffin then drove home Karen Niedweicki with the final run of the game.

GAME 2: ETBU 5, UTD 1
The Comets were down 5-0 before they even got rolling in the second game. Starter Stephanie Herrera was roughed up for four runs in the first 2.1 innings of the game. The Comets got one run back in the sixth when Jones doubled and was driven home by Lindsey Ayers.


>>04.12.05
Comets Come Within One Out Of Sweeping Div. II Texas Woman's Univ.
GAME 1: UT-Dallas 1, TWU 0
GAME 2: TWU 10, UT-Dallas 5 (8 innings)

RICHARDSON, TX - For 13.2 innings of college softball Tuesday night, the UTD Comets battled their way to respectability against the visting Texas Woman's University Pioneers, a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference.

UTD dodged bullets throughout the first game to hold on for a 1-0 victory; then took a 5-2 lead into the top of the 7th inning and were one out away from wrapping up the sweep. But a two-out single and walk loaded the bases and set the stage for the Comets' second critical error of the game as a game-ending fly ball to left field glanced off the glove of Kate Lightfield and allowed the Pioneers to clear the bases and tie the game. TWU then pushed across five runs in the first extra inning to take a heartbreaking 10-5 win.

Sarah Arldt had a five-hit night for the Comets (18-14), scoring three runs, including the game-winner in the opener. Lightfield contributed plenty to the offense, as well, going 4-for-7 at the plate against two Division II pitchers.

GAME 1: UTD 1, TWU 0
In the first inning of the first game, Arldt set the stage for the only run of the contest, tripling to left-center field. Amanda Craig then delivered a soft liner over the head of the third baseman to bring Arldt home with the game-winner.

Stephanie Herrera and the UTD defense then made the single run stand up by working their way through adversity the rest of the game. TWU (21-19) left 11 runners on base, eight in scoring position as Herrera came up with key pitches to quelch rallies with strikeouts and a popup back to the circle in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. She picked up the win, scattering seven hits and striking out six while the Comets committed just one harmless error behind her.

GAME 2: TWU 10, UTD 5 (8 innings)
UTD then continued to battle through a very different Game Two. After falling behind early, UTD rallied to take a lead twice in the game; and took a 5-2 lead to the seventh inning.

Down 1-0 on an unearned run in TWU's first inning, the Comets loaded up the bases and got Amber Griffin and Arldt home when Keely Jones delivered a 2-RBI double. After TWU tied it up at 2-2 in the second, UTD went to work again in the fifth. Karen Niedwiecki came up with the big hit, driving in Arldt and Craig to make it 4-2. The Comets then made it 5-2 in the sixth when Arldt drove in Griffin with her fifth hit of the night.

But Candace Verstuyft was one out away from completing three innings of scoreless relief when the flood gates opened. A leadoff double, then a two-out single and walk loaded the bases for the fateful fly ball.

In the extra frame, TWU's bats came to life for the first time on the night, pounding out five hits to score five times to put the game away.


The Comets will try to build on the confidence gained from their strong showing against the higher-division competition when they play their final six American Southwest Conference East Division games, beginning this Saturday at East Texas Baptist. UTD holds a slight lead over Mississippi College for the third and final ASC East playoff spot and has four games against division-leader ETBU and two against LeTourneau. The Comets host ETBU next Tuesday evening, then finish at home against LeTourneau on Friday, April 22.


>>04.05.05
Comet Duo Tabbed For American Southwest Conference Weekly Awards
DeLeon, Elizondo Win ASC Player of Week Awards

RICHARDSON, TX - University of Texas at Dallas softball pitcher Daci DeLeon (near right) and outfielder Trent Elizondo have been selected as the American Southwest Conference East Division softball Pitcher of the Week and baseball Hitter of the Week.

Each of the two led their respective teams to a pair of wins last week. The softball team took a pair from UT-Tyler behind a no-hitter from DeLeon while the baseball squad won 2-of-3 at the University of the Ozarks after Elizondo slammed three home runs over the weekend.
DeLeon, a sophomore from Kyle, Texas (Hays HS) was untouchable in the first game of the Comets' important ASC East Division doubleheader at UT-Tyler, posting her first complete game no-hitter of the season in a 1-0 victory. DeLeon allowed just two base runners over seven innings, both on walks, and struck out six. She has not allowed an earned run in her last three appearances while striking out 14 and giving up just two walks. It was the second time this season she earned the weekly honor.
Elizondo, a sophomore transfer outfielder from The Woodlands, Texas, led UT-Dallas to a two-game sweep of its Saturday games at ASC East rival Ozarks in a series with conference playoff implications. Elizondo was 8-for-13 (.615) vs. Ozarks, drilling three homers and a double in the Saturday sweep. The sophomore was 5-for-10 over early-week single non-conference games vs. Hardin-Simmons and Northwood, driving-in 10 runs with two doubles and four home runs for the five-game week. He shared the honor with UT-Tyler senior shortstop Gifford Dixon.


>>04.06.05
UTD Still In Dogfight For Final Playoff Spots After Splitting DH With LETU
LeTourneau 6, UT-Dallas 5
UT-Dallas 6, LeTourneau 1

LONGVIEW, TEXAS - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team had a chance to put a little distance between itself and the rest of the pack in the chase for the final two playoff spots out of the American Southwest Conference East Division Wednesday afternoon, but found itself right back where it started after splitting a doubleheader with LeTourneau.

UTD and LETU (8-18, 4-14) locked up in a 26-hit shootout in the first game before the Comets gave up the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 6-5 loss. But in the second game, freshman pitcher Lindsey Hughes (right) limited LETU to just four hits in a 6-1 win.

The split left the Comets with a 12-8 conference record, just two up on Mississippi College (12-10) and four games back of East Texas Baptist (12-4) in the loss column with just over two weeks left in the regular season. UTD faces a critical two-game series with UT-Tyler this Saturday, then meets ETBU in a pair next weekend.

Amber Griffin was 5-for-8 with three RBI whle Amanda Craig and Sarah Arldt cracked their first home runs of the season.

GAME 1: LeTOURNEAU 6, UT-DALLAS 5
The Comets gave up an early 2-0 lead and later tied the game at 5-5 before LETU scored the winning run on a pair of hits, a stolen base and wild pitch in the seventh inning. Starter Jana Cain was touched for a pair of runs in the second and gave up a pair of extra-base hits to lead off the third as LETU went ahead 5-2 before the Comets rallied. Amanda Craig homered to lead off the fourth, then Andrina Arenas drove in Kelly Roberts to pull UTD to within a run. Karah Brazell tied the game in the fifth, running for Keely Jones, on an RBI single from Kate Lightfield; but the Comets could not score again as they left nine runners on base.

GAME 2: UT-DALLAS 6, LeTOURNEAU 1
Hughes gave up just four hits and one earned run as she forced 15 ground-ball outs, facing just four batters over the minimum. Meanwhile the Comet hitters put up a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, pounding out nine hits, including Sara Arldt's first career home run.


>>03.29.05
DeLeon Tosses No-Hitter As Comets Sweep UT-Tyler In ASC East Showdown
UT-Dallas 1, UT-Tyler 0
UT-Dallas 2, UT-Tyler 1

TYLER, TX - University of Texas at Dallas sophomore pitcher Daci DeLeon tossed the first no-hitter of the season Tuesday night, and her teammates managed enough offense to propel the Comets to an important two-game sweep of the University of Texas at Tyler.

With the 1-0 and 2-1 wins, the Comets improved to 13-9 and moved into third place in the American Southwest Conference East Division with an 11-7 mark. UT-Tyler fell to 14-7 and 7-7 in ASC play. The Lady Patriots are not eligible for post-season play due to UT-Tyler's provisional status with the NCAA, but games against them do count in the standings.

DeLeon struck out six in her seven-inning complete game win, but had to overcome a couple of walks with a key strikeout in the fourth inning.

UTD got the only run it needed in the fourth when the Comets put together three hits. Amber Griffin led off the inning with an infield single, was sacrificed to second and then scored on back-to-back hits by Keely Jones and Stephanie Herrera.

The Comets put Herrera on the mound in the second game in a face-off against former Comet Janelle Morrison, now with UT-Tyler. Morrison struck out eight, but saw her teammates give up a pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning as UTD prevailed, 2-1. UTT took a 1-0 lead with two outs in the third with an unearned run of its own, but the Comets answered in the top of the fourth. Again, Griffin got on board with a single and Sarah Arldt reached on a fielding error by the UTT third baseman. After a passed ball moved the pair into scoring position, freshman Lyndsi Ayers drove home the tying run; and Jones followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Arldt.


>>03.26.05
Comets Have To Settle For Split
In Opening Day at Ozarks
UT-Dallas 1, Ozarks 0
Ozarks 7, UT-Dallas 2
UT-Dallas 3, Ozarks 1
Ozarks 2, UT-Dallas 1

CLARKSVILLE, AR - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team got a four-hit shutout from sophomore Daci DeLeon (right) in their opener, but could only manage to score six more runs the rest of the weekend in splitting an American Southwest Conference East Division series at the University of the Ozarks.

Ozarks jumped on UTD starter Lindsey Hughes for seven runs in a 7-2 victory in the second game Friday; then limited UTD to just three hits in taking a 2-1 win in the series finale. The Comets did rally in the first game Saturday to take a 3-1 win.

The split gave Ozark (4-11, 3-9) only its third conference win of the year while UTD fell back in the ASC East race at 11-9, 9-7.

Shortstop Amber Griffin was 9-for-12 before going 0-for-3 in the series finale.

GAME 1: UT-DALLAS 1, OZARKS 0
DeLeon gave up just four hits while striking out 8 Lady Eagles in the complete-game win. UTD got the only run it needed when Amber Griffin scored on a sacrifice fly by Keely Jones. The Comets had several other scoring opportunities - stranding 10 runners throughout the game - but failed to come up with the key hit.

GAME 2: OZARKS 7, UT-DALLAS 2
Freshman Lindsey Hughes suffered her most difficult outing of the season, giving up three first-inning runs on four consecutive two-out hits. UTD got one run back in the second when Jones reached on an error, then scored on a Kelly Roberts single; but an error and four more hits against Hughes in the fourth put Ozarks too far out front. UTD got a run back in the fifth when Stephanie Herrera tripled to drive in Sarah Arldt. Jana Cain came on in relief and pitched three scoreless innings, but UTD could not come up with any more offense.

GAME 3: UT-DALLAS 3, OZARKS 1
The Comets again left 10 runners all over the basepaths before rallying to make a 3-1 winner out of Stephanie Herrera, who was touched for a second-inning leadoff homerun. UTD had scoring opportunities in each of the first four innings before putting three on the board in the 5th. Griffin doubled to right field to score Andrina Arenas with the tying run, then scored along with Kelly Roberts when Sarah Arldt reached on a fielding error.

GAME 4: OZARKS 2, UT-DALLAS 1
The two teams locked up in a 1-1 tie before Ozarks got the game winner in the 6th inning. After giving up a two-out RBI hit in the first, UTD starter Candace Verstuyft matched Ozarks' Dana Martin the next four innings, giving up just five hits. But the Comets were only able to muster three hits against Martin the whole game. UTD tied the game with a two-out rally in the fourth when Herrera doubled and scored on a wild pitch, but Ozarks rallied for the winning run on a leadoff walk, followed by an RBI double in the sixth inning.


>>03.22.05
Griffin, DeLeon Win ASC Weekly Softball Awards

RICHARDSON, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team swept the American Southwest Conference East Division weekly awards after a six-week which included a first-ever sweep of Mississippi College.

Freshman Amber Griffin was named the East Division Player of the Week; and sophomore pitcher Daci DeLeon (below right) was selected as the ASC East Pitcher of the Week by officials at the ASC Office.

Griffin, a freshman from Richmond, Texas collected seven hits, and scored five runs – including a dramatic, three-run, inside-the-park home run that ignited a UTD rally from a 5-0 deficit in
Game 3 of the weekend Mississippi College series.
The freshman then delivered a two-out RBI bunt single in her next trip to the plate to tie the game at 5-5. UTD eventually won the game in extra innings, 7-6, behind Griffin's four RBI to propel the Comets to a four-game sweep of the Choctaws. Griffin was also 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts for the week.

DeLeon, a sophomore from Kyle, Texas, picked up a pair of wins in the four-game weekend sweep of MC, striking out 12 and allowing just five hits in 9.1 innings of work. DeLeon went the distance in a 3-2 win on Friday, giving up three hits; and then
came on in relief in Game 3 of the series, throwing 2.1 innings of
shutout ball, striking out three and surrendering two hits without walking a batter.


>>03.19.05
Four One-Run Wins Gives UTD First Sweep of MC In Team History
GAME 1: UT-Dallas 3, Mississippi College 2
GAME 2: UT-Dallas 3, Mississippi College 2
GAME 3: UT-Dallas 7, Mississippi College 6 (8 inn.)
GAME 4: UT-Dallas 2, Mississippi College 2

RICHARDSON, TX - For the first time in the four-year history of The University of Texas at Dallas softball program, the Comets put together four dramatic, one-run wins and swept Mississippi College in an American Southwest Conference matchup.

UTD (9-7, 7-5) took two 3-2 wins from the Lady Choctaws (13-9, 6-8) on Friday; then rallied from a 5-0 deficit in a 7-6, eight-inning victory Saturday morning followed by a 2-1 win in the finale Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore pitcher Daci DeLeon got the win in both Games 1 and 4 to improve to 3-1 on the season, giving up just five hits in 9.1 innings of work. Freshmen pitchers Lindsey Hughes and Jana Cain were winners in relief during the two middle games.
UTD twice won games in their final at-bat during the series. Keely Jones and Stephanie Herrera were the offensive stars with three hits apiece on Friday. Amber Griffin started the Comets rally in the third game with an inside-the-park home run.

GAME ONE
UTD jumped on MC starter Kayla Watkins in the first inning when Amber Griffin singles, stole stecond and then scored to take a 1-0 lead on a double steal. Jones then got things going in the third with a single. She was sacrificed to second, then scored on an RBI single from freshman Lyndsi Ayers, who started in centerfield. After MC got a run back in the fifth, Griffin singled again, stole second and then scored on a two-out RBI double from Herrera. MC got another run in the sixth, but DeLeon - who struck out nine and gave up just three hits - shut down the Lady Choctaws in the seventh.

GAME TWO
Kristen Turner scored the game-winner on an infield single by Andrina Arenas in the bottom of the seventh to give UTD its second 3-2 win in the Friday nightcap. The run answered a seventh-inning rally by MC that tied the game at 2-2. UTD had taken an early 2-0 lead with a two-run third as Jones scored the game's first run, then scored on an error by the shortstop. But MC got one run back in the fourth on a solo home run off starter Candace Verstuyft, who scattered five hits in 4-plus innings of work. Hughes came in in relief and gave up just a pair of hits in the final three innings, but saw the tying run come home in the top of the seventh. UTD had failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities early in the game, leaving 12 runners on base through the first six innings.

GAME THREE
Sarah Arldt's delivered a two-out single to score Kristen Turner with the game-winner to complete a 7-6, eight-inning, come-from-behind win for the Comets. UTD had fallen behind 5-0 when MC erupted for a six-hit, four-run third; but answered with four runs of its own in the bottom of the third. Andrina Arenas and Kelly Roberts singled before Amber Griffin delivered a line-drive, inside-the-park home run down the right-field line to put the Comets back in the game. Lyndsi Ayers then delivered an RBI single to score Arldt and make it a one-run game going to the fourth.

After the Comets tied the score at 5-5 with an RBI from Griffin in the fourth, MC went back ahead with a run in the fifth. But again the Comets answered in the bottom of the frame to tie the game. Niedwiecki singled to score pinch runner Kate Lightfield, but Ayers was gunned down at the plate on a controversial call with what would have been the game winner. Neither team was able to mount a threat again until the Comets scored in the eighth.

GAME FOUR
UTD loaded the bases to open the game, but were unable to get anything other than a single run from Griffin when the MC catcher dropped the ball on a play at the plate. MC then tied the game with a two-out RBI single in the fifth, chasing starter Lindsey Hughes. DeLeon came on in relief and gave up just two hits in 2.1 innings, holding the game close until UTD got the game winner in the sixth. Kelly Roberts punched a single to left field driving in Kristen Turner with the game winning run before DeLeon shut MC down in the seventh.


>>03.15.05
Comets Sweep Home-Opening Series By
Shutting Out Nebraska Wesleyan Twice
GAME 1: UT-Dallas 3, Nebraska Wesleyan 0
GAME 2: UT-Dallas 8, Nebraska Wesleyan 0

RICHARDSON, TX - On a cold, windy March afternoon, Keely Jones' bat got hot as the redshirt freshman drove in six runs as the University of Texas at Dallas softball team swept its home opener over Nebraska Wesleyan with a pair of shutout victories.

Jones, who had been hitting a disappointing .182 through the team's first 10 games of the season, went 3-for-6 at the plate and slapped an RBI double and RBI triple in the two-game sweep as UTD recorded a 3-0 and 8-0 victory. The Comets, whose early season schedule had included a number of tough opponents, improved their record to 5-7.

In the opening game, UTD jumped out to a quick 2-0 start in the first inning when Sarah Arldt and and Stephanie Herrera both reached base on errors, then Jones brought them home with an RBI double. In the sixth, Amanda Craig singled and Kristen Turner, running for Craig, scored when Kate Lightfield tripled down the leftfield line.

The Comets made a winner out of freshman Lindsey Hughes (2-1), who scattered three hits and had one strikeout in four innings of work. Herrera picked up the save with three innings of one-hit relief.

In the second game, UTD again got an early lead when Amber Griffin opened with a single,
Sarah Arldt got on with a fielder's choice and then Jones delivered a 2-run single. The Comets put the game away in the fourth when 10 batters went to the plate and the Comets got a run-rule victory with six runs.

After Andrina Arenas doubled and Kelly Roberts singled, Amber Kavehkar delivered a two-run single and ended up at second base on an error by the pitcher. With two outs, Arldt reached before Jones drove in two more runs with an RBI triple down the rightfield line. Jones then scored with the centerfielder dropped a Herrera fly ball; and Lyndsi Ayers drove in Herrera with an RBI double.

Candace Verstuyft went the distance in Game 2, posting a five-inning shutout while giving up just two hits and striking out four.

The Comets are back at home this weekend when they return to ASC East Division play against Mississippi College. The games are scheduled for 3/5 pm on Friday and 11/1 on Saturday.


>>03.11.05
Comets Hand ASC East Favorite Louisiana College First Conference Loss
Game 1: LC 4, UTD 0
Game 2: UTD 5, LC 0
Game 3: LC 5, UTD 0
Game 4: LC 4, UTD 4

PINEVILLE, LA - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team picked up only one victory during a four-game series at ASC East Division leader Louisiana College, but the Comets did become the first conference team to knock off the Lady Wildcats this season.

Junior Stephanie Herrera (right) tossed a complete game, six-hit shutout against LC (10-2, 9-1) in the nightcap of a Friday doubleheader, and her teammates jumped out to an early lead on their way to a 5-0 shutout win. The Comets did lose twice, however, to LC ace Sandi Clark, who shut out UTD 4-0 in the opening game both Friday and Saturday; and dropped the final game of the series, 4-2, Saturday afternoon.

In the lone win, though, Herrera struck out seven batters and walked just one in her seven innings of work to improve to pick up her first win of the season. The Comets got eight hits, including two from Sarah Arldt, while LC committed six errors in the game. The Comets scored an unearned run in both the first and sixth innings against ASC East Pitcher of the Week Emillie Collins.

In the first, Sarah Arldt singled and stole both second and third base, scoring on an error by the catcher to take a 1-0 lead. The Comets broke open the tight game with a pair of runs in the fifth. Again, Arldt got things started with a two-out double, then scored on a Herrera single. When Keely Jones reached on an error, Herrera came home to make it 3-0. The Comets added two more runs in the seventh as UTD used three hits, an error and a couple of wild pitches to push across the final two runs.

In the opener, UTD was limited to just three hits by LC ace Sandi Clark, who struck out nine. Nonetheless, the Comets held the Wildcats scoreless behind the solid pitching of sophomore Daci DeLeon until the sixth inning, when LC erupted for four runs. Clark then dominated the Comets again on Saturday with another three-hitter on the way to a 5-0 shutout.

The Comets then got a rematch of the Herrera/Collins matchup in the final game, but fell into a hole quickly as the Lady Wildcats (12-2, 11-1) got off to a 4-0 start in the first courtesy of a three hits and a pair of Comet errors. UTD got two runs back in the fourth when Arldt and Herrera led off with singles, and then got a run when Arldt came home on a double steal. Karen Niedwiecki then brought Herrera home on a ground out, but UTD was unable to score again when they were limited to just five hits.

UTD is now 3-7 for the season, and 3-5 in ASC play. The Comets host Nebraska Wesleyan in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon.


>>03.05.05
Comets Salvage Split At ASC Crossover;
Pick Up First Two Wins of Seasons
Hardin-Simmons 7, UT-Dallas 6
Howard Payne 4, UT-Dallas 3
UT-Dallas 4, Mary Hardin-Baylor 1
UT-Dallas 5, Schreiner 2

FARMERS BRANCH, TX - The University of Texas at Dallas softball team was beginning to think the stars were aligned against it after the opening day of the American Southwest Conference First Pitch Softball Tournament. The Comets blew their first two Friday games late to fall to 0-4 on the season before rallying on Saturday with a pair of well-played wins.

Freshman shortstop Amber Griffin led a UTD (2-4, 2-2) offense that struggled for offense throughout the weekend with a 7-for-12 performance, scoring a run in every game and stealing five bases.

In both of the first two games of the tournament, UTD let opportunities slip away that might have resulted in victory. Against HSU and its ace starter Arin Spence, the Comets held a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning before HSU erupted for five runs in their final at-bat on the way to a 7-6 win. Against a winless HPU team, the Comets missed several opportunities to break open a 1-1 game before giving up a three-run inning to the LadyJackets - again in the sixth inning. In both games, the Comets started a last-inning rally, but came up just one run short of tying the score.

The Saturday story was different as got out in front and held on against both UMHB and Schreiner, making winners of Daci DeLeon and freshman Lyndsey Hughes. UTD swept past UMHB (2-5, 1-3), 4-1, before knocking off Schreiner (0-6, 0-4), 5-2.

Against UMHB, The Comets put up two runs before the Lady Crusaders ever got to the plate. Griffin led off with a bunt single, stole second, then eventually got the first run on a double steal. Sarah Arldt, who was 3-for-4 on Saturday, drove home Stephanie Herrera with the second run. After UMHB pulled to within one in the bottom of the inning and then had a pair of runners aboard with one out in the second, DeLeon shut the door with a pair of strikeouts. She then retired 16 of the last 17 batters she faced to preserve the lead.

The Comets added a run in the fourth when Andrina Arenas reached on an error, the was squeezed home by Kelly Roberts. UTD got its final run in the sixth when Amanda Craig led off with a double, and pinch-runner Karah Brazell scored on another double steal.

UTD threatened to follow its earlier script from the HPU game against winless Schreiner. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Comets tied the score 1-1 in the second when Craig walked and scored on an Amber Kavehkar single. But the offense came alive in the fifth and sixth innings to put the game away.

UTD to a pair in the fifth when a run scored on a Schreiner error and Arldt delivered an RBI single. In the sixth, Kate Lightfield and Griffin got aboard with singles before Keely Jones drove both home with a double to deep right field. Schreiner got one run back in the sixth, but Herrera came in after Hughes had struck out six in 5.2 innings of work and closed the door with 1.1 innings of hitless relief to pick up the save.

The Comets now must prepare to hit the road next weekend when they meet undefeated and ASC East favorite Louisiana College with four games.


>>02.21.05
Div. II Texas Woman's Shuts Down Comets In Season Opening Series
Texas Woman's 7-5, UT-Dallas 0-0

DENTON, TX - The Universityof Texas at Dallas softball team managed just eight hits against NCAA Division II Texas Woman's University in the Comets' season-opening series; but none seemed to come when UTD needed them most as TWU took a pair of shutout wins away from the Comets, 7-0 and 5-0.

Freshman shortstop Amber Griffin picked up three hits, but got very little offensive support from her teammates as the Comets could not scratch a run in 14 innings of softball.

Texas Woman's requested that the games be rescheduled to Monday when inclimate weather was forecast for later in the week. The Pioneers (4-1) had already had 12 of their opening 14 games rained out.

The Pioneers did not, however, look rusty. They jumped on UTD starter Lyndsi Ayers in the opener for a 5-0 lead after two innings and scratched across two more runs in the fifth to take a 7-0 win. All seven runs scored with two outs, but the Comets were unable to convert on three opportunities with runners at third base as they managed just three hits against TWU hurler Lindsy Russ-Keller.

In the nightcap, UTD got some one-hit pitching from starter Lyndsey Hughes and a shutout inning from reliever Candace Verstuyft through the first three innings. Still, the Pioneers were able to scratch across a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead after one following an errant throw from the outfield. When the Comets (who were outhitting TWU 4-1 after three) left runners stranded in scoring position in both the first and second, it was obvious that clutch hits were going to be difficult to get.

Verstuyft gave up a pair of hits and two more runs in the fourth and Jana Cain was charged with a run in the fifth. For the night, the Comets used five pitchers other than their anticipated 1-2 punch of veterans Daci DeLeon and Stephanie Herrera. Much of the roster got some playing time in the season-opening doubleheader. Although the Comet hitters managed just eight total hits, they had just one batter strikeout all night long.


>>2005 UT-DALLAS SOFTBALL PREVIEW
Rebuilding Year Doesn't Temper Comets' Plans For Success In 2005

In the world of intercollegiate athletics, “rebuilding years” are more or less an unavoidable fact of life.

So, just because the 2005 University of Texas at Dallas softball team faces the daunting task of replacing four key members of its starting lineup as well as a three-year pitching veteran who graduated from last year’s 25-15 squad, it’s not exactly an issue to get all worked up about.

In fact, some teams look at similar situations as an opportunity to step up and improve.

Thus is the outlook for the 2005 UTD softball team - a young, but talented squad that enters the spring season not entirely sure who it is, but determined to work together toward a common goal.

The 19-member roster for the 2005 Comets does not include a single senior, but what it does include are:
• a returning all-region infielder;
• a consistent hitter who led the team with a .400-plus batting average much of last season;
• a pair of top-notch, seasoned veteran pitchers who own more than 32 wins between them;
• two promising underclassmen who are finally hoping to put their talent on display after missing much of last year with injuries;
• and, three other players who saw a lot of playing time as freshmen last year.

Add to this mix a group of 10 promising freshmen and transfer newcomers, and it’s not hard to see why Coach Tricia Hoffmann (pictured) believes this team can be just as successful as last year’s team - given time to gel.

“I expect this team to be much like we’ve always been” says Hoffmann, who started the UTD program just four years ago and has led her last two squads deep into the American Southwest Conference championship tournaments. “We’ve got great talent still here, and great talent coming in. I expect this to be a well-rounded team once we get used to playing together and learning what it takes to be competitive. The components are there. It’s just a matter gaining the experience.”

The leadership roles on the young squad will fall on a pair of juniors - all-region second baseman Sarah Ardlt (.366 last year) and third-year pitcher/designated hitter Stephanie Herrera, who was the ASC Freshman of the Year in 2003. “These two, although only juniors, have taken ownership of this team,” Hoffmann explains. “They realize we’ve got time for this group to develop, so they’re instilling a good work ethic and a great attitude. What this team lacks in experience, I think it makes up for in desire and dedication to a common goal.”

Pitching will again be a strong point for the Comets, with no less than seven potential hurlers on the roster. Sophomore Daci DeLeon was spectacular as a freshman, posting a 1.97 ERA despite finishing 4-5 as a freshman. Junior Stephanie Herrera dropped off slightly (6-4) after going 11-8 as a freshman, but still has a career ERA of around 2.20. Sophomore Candace Verstuyft, a talented drop-ball pitcher who won a pair of games with a 2.44 ERA in 2004, will see spot duty if she can hold off the challenge of four talented newcomers.

The team’s top hitter from last year, Amanda Craig, will take her .378 batting average and move from the left corner of the infield over to first base. Keely Jones, a skilled sophomore who missed almost all of last season with an foot injury after earning a starting spot at third base, will get a chance to live up to her potential.

The most promising newcomer to the infield is freshman shortstop Amber Griffin, who the team will be looking to for a spark both offensively and defensively. “Amber is everything we hoped she would be in the field,” Hoffmann says. “And, she’s got the offensive skills and speed to make things happen at the top of the lineup.”

Another freshman, Kate Lightfield, has emerged from the pack as the favorite to take over in center field. Sophomore Kelly Roberts, who also missed most of her freshman year with an injury, has made significant strides toward becoming an offensive force and will likely hold down the leftfield spot. Sophomore Karen Niedwiecki, who started much of last season, will battle transfer Amber Kavehkar and others for right field.

Sophomore Andrina Arenas was a fixture behind the plate for the Comets in 2004, but will be pushed for playing time by sophomore Kristen Blankenship, who played two years ago at UT-Arlington. The rest of the newcomers should expect to see a lot of action as well, especially if one or two emerge as offensive sparkplugs.

Hoffmann expects the competition in the American Southwest Conference to be strong again in 2004 with teams like UT-Tyler joining the league and several teams showing improvement. “But we have higher expectations of ourselves now that we’ve finished strong the last two seasons,” she says.

The top three teams from each ASC division will advance to the post-season ASC Championship Tournament in 2005.

One other important addition to the program is Assistant Coach Kim Sotomayor, a former college catcher who will temporarily take over for Hoffmann, who is expecting a child midway through the season.


>>01.25.05
UTD Softball Team Picked In Familiar Third Spot In ASC East Pre-Season Poll

RICHARDSON, TX – The University of Texas at Dallas softball team surprised a lot of people last season when they edged nationally-ranked Louisiana College for the second-place playoff spot in the American Southwest Conference East Division.

The ASC East coaches apparently believe that the Lady Wildcats, who finished 26-8, 15-7 last season, might be out for a bit of revenge in 2005; as they have picked LC to win the ASC East Division in the annual pre-season poll. The Comets, who will be reloading after losing some key players to graduation last season, are picked to finish third behind second-place East Texas Baptist.

LC got only six first-place votes (compared to 7 for the defending conference champion ETBU team), but had 89 total points in the poll to ETBU's 85. UTD did not earn any first-place ballots, but picked up 67 points in the voting to finish ahead of first-year program UT-Tyler (54 points), Mississippi College (40), Universityof the Ozarks (34) and LeTourneau (23).

In the ASC West, Texas Lutheran was a prohibitive favorite to finish ahead of Mary Hardin-Baylor with 11 first-place votes. Second-year program Hardin-Simmons edged Howard Payne for third place, followed by Sul Ross State, Schreiner and Concordia-Austin.

Head Coach Tricia Hoffman began the UTD program just three years ago and has led the team to the ASC post-season championship tournament in each of the last two seasons.