The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
No. 15 Softball splits with Texas A&M Corpus Christi
03.25.2010 | Softball
March 25, 2010
Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 15 Texas Softball team split its doubleheader with Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Thursday night, downing the Islanders 13-4 in a run-rule shortened game one, but falling 8-4 in the nightcap. The split moved the Longhorns to 25-7 on the year, while the Islanders advanced their season mark to 20-11.
Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland recorded one hit in both ends of the doubleheader to improve her UT-record hitting streak to 19 games.
Freshman righthander Blaire Luna (13-4) earned the victory in game one, tossing 5.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and fanning seven. Texas A&M Corpus Christi starter Elena Crabtree suffered the loss after lasting just 0.2 innings and allowing seven runs on six hits.
Sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig headlined the Texas offense in game one with three hits, six RBI, two runs scored, a triple and a homer. Junior second baseman Raygan Feight added a two-hit, two-run and two-RBI effort in the game.
In the nightcap, freshman starter Kim Bruins (6-3) took the loss for the Horns after throwing 3.2 innings and surrendering four runs on six hits, walking two and fanning three. Islanders' starter Addie Tallman earned the victory (6-4), firing a complete game, giving up four runs, scattering nine hits and walking two.
Junior catcher Amy Hooks paced the Horns at the plate in game two with three hits, two RBI and a run scored. Craig added a 2-for-3 effort and an RBI in the game to push her two-game total to 5-for-6 with seven RBI.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, March 27 when it hosts Nebraska in its Big 12 opener. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Central.
Game 1: Texas 13, Texas A&M Corpus Christi 4
Texas got on the board early in game one, using six extra-base hits to put seven runs on the board in the first. Hoagland led off the game with a solo home run to left centerfield and sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett and sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor followed with back-to-back doubles. Taylor's double scored Bennett before a double by junior second baseman Raygan Feight plated Taylor and Johnson who had reached on a walk. Senior centerfielder Brittany Chalk added a fourth double which scored Feight and Craig plated Chalk with a two-run home run.
The Islanders rallied for four runs in the second, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a fielder's choice before an RBI single by Meagan McKinney scored the first run. An infield single by Lauren Sanders scored a second runner before a two-run single by Cassie Redman shrank the score to 7-4.
Texas answered with two runs in the second, taking advantage of a bases-loaded walk by Chalk and an RBI single by Craig to take a 9-4 lead.
The Horns added to their lead in the fourth when Craig connected for a triple with the bases loaded and Hoagland plated the final run with a sacrifice fly.
Game 2: Texas A&M Corpus Christi 8, Texas 4
Texas scored first in game two as Craig and Hoagland reached on consecutive singles to start the third and Hoagland eventually came home on an illegal pitch. The Horns added a second run in the fourth, using three straight singles by junior first baseman Shelby Savony, Feight and Craig to fuel a two out rally. Craig's single plated Savony and moved the UT edge to 2-0.
The Islanders caught fire in the fifth, capitalizing on five hits and two Texas errors to push six runs across. A two-run double by Brittany Tucker scored the first two runs and an RBI single by Kacie Smith gave TAMUCC a 3-2 lead. First baseman Sandy Schumann reached on an RBI fielder's choice to score another run and a Texas throwing error ballooned the Islanders lead to 5-2. Texas A&M Corpus Christi pushed its final tally of the inning across on an RBI double by Cassie Redman.
The Islanders pushed their lead to 8-2 in the sixth when Tucker recorded her third and fourth RBI of the day with a two-run home run.
Texas rallied in the bottom of the seventh, plating two runs on a two-run home run by Hooks, but that was all the offense the Horns could muster as they fell 8-4.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the second game loss:
On having to teach these lessons: Yeah, because I don't think they hear that a lot. Usually, we're pretty much free-swingers. But as we get better and deeper into the season, you have to be able to be open-minded, make adjustments and learn that it is about playing chess and not checkers.
On overcoming defensive errors: I'm disappointed. Obviously we tell them to play hard, and physical mistakes are going to happen when you do that. But we need to sure up the mental mistakes. We have to play pitch-to-pitch. Our biggest focus will be to eliminate the mental stuff.
On preparing for conference play: We just talk about, and remind them about, strategies they can use to stay pitch-to-pitch and not drag offense to defense. For the most part, we're doing a good job, but we have some individuals to sure up.
Freshman outfielder Taylor Hoagland
On continuing her hitting streak: Well, it's kind of easier now that it's out of my head. I broke the record, it's been accomplished, but now it's time to move on. Now it's about putting the ball in play and helping my team win. I'm not really worried about the streak anymore.
On hitting in the leadoff spot: I feel comfortable. I had to acclimate to it. Early today I had a good practice session, so we'll see where it goes from here.
On using this to prepare for conference play: I think this is another learning experience. You can always take something and apply it to what you need to learn. We know what we need to work on, and we'll also be able to now focus on one opponent, as opposed to numerous opponents in one week.
On the leadoff home run: It was just one of those effortless swings. It was a change-up, right down the middle, and I just stroked it. It was a great feeling. I was definitely overdue for that.
Sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig
On her hitting performance: Wow, it was a long slump for me, so it really felt good to get back to my fundamentals, relax, have fun and go out there and compete.
On her defense: I just told myself coming into today to relax, have fun, play hard and do what you have to do. I wanted to get myself back to Courtney, and how I usually play.
On preparing for conference play: We've finally been challenged. We know the mistakes we need to focus on correcting, and also focus on Nebraska. We play them twice in two days. We have to compete.
