ARLINGTON, Texas – Junior Jessica Stone capped off the weekend with a complete-game two-hit shutout over UT Arlington to help propel the Samford University softball team to a split on the final day of the Maverick Classic. The team fell to No. 18 Arizona 3-0 in the early morning contest before bouncing back to trounce the Mavericks 8-0 in five innings.

"We knew before the season started that this was going to be a tough weekend and that it was going to test the team. Head Coach Mandy Burford said. "I'm really proud of the way we fought this weekend and never gave up; I thought we had a chance to win in every game we played this weekend and we finally put it all together today in the win against a very talented UT Arlington team."

The Bulldogs (12-11) concluded the day as they defeated UT Arlington (19-2) in five innings to hand the Mavericks, who were receiving votes in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll & ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll, just their second loss of the season. It also served as the first loss for UTA starting pitcher Samantha Clakley (9-1).

Stone improved to 5-3 on the season after the impressive outing.

The Samford offense hit its stride in the second game of the day and scored in bunches to oust UT Arlington. Five Bulldogs recorded at least one RBI in the effort as senior Caitlin Bice, junior Abbie Miranda and sophomore Karsin Spinks each posted two while sophomore Lexie Higgins and freshman Hannah Trombley each produced one.

The Bulldogs offense struck big in the top of the third inning when the team put up five runs thanks to an RBI walk from Bice, a two RBI single from Miranda a SAC fly from Trombley and an RBI single from Higgins.

Earlier in the day Samford fell to No. 18 Arizona 3-0 where redshirt senior Mollie Hanson (7-6) limited the Wildcats to just six hits but four went for extra bases as there were a pair of solo home runs and two doubles that resulted in the deciding three runs.

Shelby Maze went 2 for 3 at the plate while Dowdy was 1 for 3 with a double.

Taylor McQuillin earned her seventh win of the season in the shutout for No.18 Arizona.

The bevy of nationally ranked opponents doesn't stop this weekend as now the Bulldogs return home to get ready to host No.3 Auburn at home on Wednesday, March 16 at 5 p.m.

"The thing about this year's schedule is that there isn't really a time to sit back and a take a breath. We've just played three Top 25 teams (No.4 Alabama, No.18 Arizona & No.25) Texas and one (UT Arlington) that is receiving votes in both national polls." Burford said. "We're not done yet either as we have to get ready to host another Top 25 team in No.3 Auburn at home on Wednesday."