The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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UTEP
No. 14 Softball sweeps doubleheader with UTEP
03.10.2010 | Softball
March 10, 2010
Box Score - Game 1 | Box Score - Game 2 |
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 14 Texas Softball team swept its doubleheader with UTEP, Wednesday night, posting a 9-0 run-rule victory in game one and a 6-1 win in the nightcap. The Longhorns connected for a home run in both ends of the doubleheader to extend its team home run streak to 19 games. The victory improved the Horns to 19-3 on the year, while the Miners fell to 15-8.
Freshman righthander Blaire Luna (9-2) earned the victory in game one, tossing a complete game (6.0-inning), one-hit shutout, while fanning 15 and walking two. She twirled five hitless innings before allowing the lone Miners hit in the sixth inning. UTEP starter Stacie Townsend (13-5) was saddled with the loss after throwing 4.2 innings and allowing six runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out four.
Sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett anchored the Texas offense in game one with a 3-for-4 effort that included four RBI and two runs scored. Senior designated player Tallie Thrasher and freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland added two hits and one RBI apiece.
Freshman hurler Kim Bruins (6-1) notched the victory for UT in game two, going 7.0 innings, allowing just one run on five hits, while walking one and striking out a career-best seven batters. UTEP righthander Joanna Krienitz (1-2) suffered the loss after lasting 4.1 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits.
Nine different Texas batters registered a hit in game two, but junior first baseman Shelby Savony did the most damage as she connected for a three-run homer to push her team-best total to seven roundtrippers. Hoagland's hit in the game extended her team-leading hitting streak to nine games.
Texas returns to action on Thursday, March 11 when it travels to Arlington, Texas to take on UTA. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
Game 1: Texas 9, UTEP 0 (6 innings)
Texas was held scoreless until it sent 11 hitters to the plate and registered six runs in the fifth to claim a 6-0 edge. Back-to-back singles by freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland and junior second baseman Raygan Feight led off the frame before an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett plated Hoagland. A bases-loaded walk by senior shortstop Loryn Johnson brought Feight home for the inning's second run.
Sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor stepped to the plate with the sacks packed later in the fifth and ripped a two-run double that extended the lead to 4-0. Consecutive RBI singles by senior designated player Tallie Thrasher and Hoagland plated two more runs and gave the Horns a six-run advantage.
The Horns added three more tallies in the sixth, using a hit-by-pitch and a single by senior outfielder Kori Cook to start the frame. Bennett promptly ended the game with a towering three-run homer to left centerfield that pushed the final score to 9-0.
Game 2: Texas 6, UTEP 1
Texas got on the board in the first inning of the nightcap, taking advantage of a leadoff single by Hoagland to start the rally. A walk and a sacrifice bunt advanced Hoagland to third and she came home on an RBI single by Thrasher.
The Horns pushed three more runs across in the fourth as Taylor and Thrasher reached to set the stage for Savony who launched a three-run homer to give UT a 4-0 edge.
Texas tacked on two more runs in the fifth, kicking off the rally with a one-out double by Bennett and a walk by Hooks. An RBI single by Cook scored Bennett and widened the UT advantage to 6-0.
The Miners answered in the sixth, using two hits and one Texas error to push a single tally across and shrink the lead to 6-1.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the adjustments made by the hitters in the late innings of the first game: I thought our hitters made great adjustments. Obviously, it took awhile. We were getting some reads, they were bringing information back to the dugout and then we finally got it opened up in that first game off of (UTEP pitcher Stacie) Townsend.
On Texas' hectic schedule: Coming off a doubleheader, it's always good to be at home. We had to go in and pat them on the back, but to be honest we had to turn around our focus on tomorrow because we travel tomorrow. Tomorrow for us actually ends a specific segment. We segment our year out and this will end a segment for us. We talked about a few items in these games tonight but then right away focused on ending the segment tomorrow and finishing strong.
Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland
On her fifth-inning single in game one that ignited the Texas rally: My mental aspect on going up to the plate is getting a hit and not striking out. When I got that grounder I was running it out as hard as I can. Luckily, I made it safe that time.
On dealing with the rigors of the upcoming schedule: It is a challenge, especially with schoolwork and trying to balance your time. I think we're getting a little bit more acclimated to it. We all know what we need to get done and we do it.
