The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 13 LSU
Hoagland's homer powers Softball past No. 13 LSU, 2-1
02.14.2010 | Softball
Feb. 14, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas used a solo home run by freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland to claim a 2-1 victory over No. 13 LSU in the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational championship game, Sunday afternoon at McCombs Field. The win improved UT to 5-0 on the year with all of its wins coming against ranked opponents.
LSU dropped to 2-3 overall.
Texas freshman starter Kim Bruins (2-0) earned the victory, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits. Freshman righthander Blaire Luna came on in relief to throw two scoreless innings and pick up the save. LSU starter Rachele Fico (1-2) was saddled with the loss, throwing 5.0 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and fanning five.
Following an outstanding outfield assist in the top of the fifth where she gunned down an LSU baserunner at the plate, Hoagland came to the plate with one out in the bottom of the frame. On a 1-2 count she hammered Fico's offering to straightaway centerfield, giving UT a 2-1 advantage.
The Tigers got on the board first, plating their lone run on an RBI single by Jessica Mouse in the third.
The Horns answered in the bottom of the third, using a leadoff single by Hoagland to start the rally and a sacrifice to move her into scoring position. Sophomore designated player Lexy Bennett knotted the score at 1-1 when she roped a two-out RBI single to leftfield and scored Hoagland from second.
Texas returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 16 when it plays host to Centenary. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the win: I think this day has been similar to the whole weekend. We've been getting contributions from everybody. The freshmen stepped up. What a great crowd we had. Yvette (Girouard), the LSU coach, said it felt like Regionals out here already. That's a testament to how well their crowd travels and how great our crowd was today.
On Taylor Hoagland's performance today: I know we talked about it on media day, we're really excited about the freshman class. The freshmen have been amazing. It was fun to see her get the opportunity. She's got a heck of an arm and what a perfect opportunity for her to just gun someone out at the plate and live the adrenaline into the next inning when she came up with the big at-bat. It's been an MVP trophy to someone different every game and Taylor probably would have gotten it today.
On the 5-0 start: I told the team to be excited because often times we don't take enough time to enjoy a W. We're so focused on getting to the next game and I want them to enjoy it briefly. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland
On her assist from rightfield: I'm actually new to outfield. (The coaching staff) told me I have a good arm and to get out in the outfield. The adrenaline going through you, you're just ready for it and praying the ball comes to you and you can make that awesome play.
On her home run: I was real excited after that play in the field. I was real hyped up. I came back in and settle back down to get myself focused to perform at my at-bat.
Freshman pitcher Blaire Luna
On winning the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational: It was really good. I'm glad that we came through with the win. All the teams here were really good. We had a goal of getting first and finishing strong towards the end, and we did. The defense was strong, we hit well all weekend. I think it was a good weekend for all of us. We proved to ourselves that we could do it.
On what the team learned this weekend: The main thing this weekend is we never gave up, even when we were behind. We just kept the energy up and didn't give up.
Senior shortstop Loryn Johnson
On the win: We were tired today but we came out and knew what we had to do to win the championship. Going out 5-0 this weekend was a great thing for us. We're excited.
On the team's maturity: It's one of our goals to play every inning the same, whether we're winning or losing. I think we just stayed calm and we knew we could get the job done.
