The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
No. 15 Softball posts 4-1 win to sweep Nebraska
03.28.2010 | Softball
March 28, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- Freshman righthander Blaire Luna tossed a complete game two-hitter and struck out 14 batters as No. 15 Texas knocked off Nebraska, 4-1 to complete a two-game sweep at McCombs Field. The victory improved the Longhorns to 26-8 on the year and 2-0 in Big 12 play, while the Huskers fell to 17-15 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
Luna (15-4) picked up her second complete game win in as many days, allowing one run on two hits in 7.0 innings of work, while fanning 14 and walking four. Nebraska starter Robin Mackin (7-7) pitched a complete game for NU, surrendering four runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out six in 6.0 innings.
Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland struck early for the Horns, leading off the first inning with a solo shot to leftfield to give UT a 1-0 edge. The homer extended Hoagland's UT-record hitting streak to 21 games.
The Cornhuskers evened the game at one in the second, taking advantage of back-to-back one-out walks to start the rally and an RBI double by third baseman Gabby Banda to tie the score.
The Longhorns reclaimed the advantage in the fourth, with junior second baseman Raygan Feight leading off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. A bunt single by sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig moved Feight to third before a sacrifice fly by sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett allowed her to come home and put the Horns on top.
Texas tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth when Craig doubled and Hoagland singled to start the inning. Two Longhorns were retired before junior catcher Amy Hooks scored both runners with an RBI double to right centerfield that pushed the tally to 4-1.
Craig and Hoagland headlined the Texas offense on the day with two hits each, while Hoagland added two runs scored, one RBI and a walk.
Texas returns to action on Tuesday, March 30 when it travels to San Antonio to take on UTSA in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 4 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' win improved its all-time mark against Nebraska to 17-18 overall and 11-8 at McCombs Field.
- Texas' sweep of Nebraska marked the second time in three years (2008) that it swept the Huskers on opening weekend of Big 12 play.
- Taylor Hoagland's home run in the first inning improved her Texas-record hitting streak to 21 games.
- Amy Hooks' two-RBI effort against Nebraska was her team-leading seventh multi-RBI game of the season.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the weekend: It's always good to start off 2-0 in conference play. I think in our conference there's so much parity. You definitely want to try to take care of business when you're at home. It was great to be at home with our crowd and just be comfortable. We've been on the road so much. To be able to take care of business at home in conference is always important.
On Blaire Luna: Blaire, being a newcomer, is still learning. We've talked about when you're playing an opponent more than once you have to play chess instead of checkers. That means what you need to do is come back in today and show them something a little bit different. It's challenging because it's the fine line of not wanting to go away from what her best stuff is and yet show them something that they didn't necessarily see yesterday. We took that game plan in and she was brilliant with it. I'm very excited. She applied that like a veteran today.
Freshman pitcher Blaire Luna On her weekend: Going into conference play my confidence was a big thing that I needed to work on. I'm glad with the outcome that I got. I think my confidence is back to where it was before the Texas State game. I had to work through some things, which I think went well. The main thing in this game was making an adjustment. They saw the rise all day yesterday so I tried to work my drop ball and it was successful.
On starting conference play 2-0: It's definitely a big deal. We're really excited that we came out with the sweep. Nebraska is a good hitting team. I think we worked through a lot of different stuff.
Sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett On starting Big 12 play with a sweep of Nebraska: It's amazing. Last year we were happy with a split with Missouri. To come out here and sweep Nebraska, last year I think we got swept at their house. It's nice to get a great start.
On the team's offensive output this season: We've been producing a lot, not just getting hits, but advancing runners and getting our bunts down has been really crucial to us. We've been doing a really good job with that.
