The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
No. 15 Softball downs Nebraska, 9-0 in Big 12 opener
03.27.2010 | Softball
March 27, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- The 15th-ranked Texas Softball team used a one-hit shutout performance by freshman righthander Blaire Luna to upend Nebraska, 9-0 in its Big 12 opener Saturday afternoon. The run-rule victory improved the Longhorns to 25-8 on the year and 1-0 in Big 12 play, while the Huskers dropped to 17-14 and 0-1 in league action.
Luna (14-4) fired 5.0 shutout innings against the Huskers, allowing one hit, fanning seven and walking two. Nebraska starter Robin Mackin (7-6) suffered the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits and walking four in 2.0 innings of work.
Texas freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland's two-hit performance against the Huskers extended her UT record hitting streak to 20 games. She added two runs scored, two walks and an RBI in the victory. Sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor bolstered the offense with her 3-for-3 effort that included three RBI and a walk.
The Horns got on the board in the second inning, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single by Hoagland before Taylor roped a two-run double to give UT a 2-0 edge.
Texas rallied for four more runs in the third, pushing its first runs across when sophomore leftfielder Courtney Craig registered an RBI single with two runners on base. Hoagland pushed a second run across with an RBI double before a walk by sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett loaded the bases. An errant throw in a rundown by Nebraska catcher Ashley Guile allowed Craig and Hoagland both to score and move the Texas lead to 6-0.
UT put the game out of reach in the fourth, taking advantage of four hits and ballooning the lead to 9-0. Senior shortstop Loryn Johnson drew a leadoff walk to start the frame and a double by designated player Kori Cook put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Junior pinch hitter Shelby Savony singled through the left side to score Johnson and start the rally. A two-out walk by Hoagland loaded the bases and back-to-back RBI singles by Bennett and Taylor plated two more runs.
Texas wraps up its two-game series with Nebraska on Sunday, March 28. First pitch is slated for Noon Central.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On Blaire Luna's patience in the circle: It was great to see her patience, even deep into the count. One of our goals is that we, as coaches keep teaching, and they, as players, keep getting better, because it is a long season. And I thought she applied everything we taught and worked on this week perfectly today.
On the game overall: It's a great start to our Big 12 series. I think our confidence, and play overall, is best when we are at home. So we were very fortunate to be able to play this game here today. It was a solid team effort from everyone across the board.
On situations such as the two-run scoring rundown: Sometimes you get a little bit lucky in this game.
Freshman pitcher Blaire Luna
On today's game: I think we started off and ended really well. I'm extremely happy with the outcome. I thought Nebraska came out hitting, but we put up a better fight and that's why we got the win.
On her first few months of Texas Softball: The team has been the secret to my success. They, along with the coaches, have supported me and made my transition into the program easier. For example, we don't use the word `freshman', rather, we say `newcomer'. Things like that make the environment a lot more comfortable.
On what she has to focus on: Maintaining my focus throughout the game, pitch-to-pitch, is something that I have been working at all year. And I have definitely improved, and definitely will continue to prove at that.
On how excited the team is on their ranking: We have been excited to play teams that are ranked. Playing teams that were ranked well has really helped our confidence build. Otherwise, ranking is not something that we try and focus on for ourselves. We try to play every game the same, regardless of our ranking.
