The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
No. 14 Softball cruises past Baylor, 8-0
04.14.2010 | Softball
April 14, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 14 Texas Softball team's offense stayed red hot, posting its second straight run-rule victory in an 8-0 win over Baylor, Wednesday night at McCombs Field. The victory improved the Longhorns to 35-9 overall and 8-1 in Big 12 play, while the Bears fell to 23-16 on the year and 3-5 in league action.
Freshman righthander Blaire Luna (22-5) earned the victory for the Horns, tossing her eighth complete game shutout of the season, allowing just two hits, walking three and fanning seven. Baylor starter Courtney Repka (15-10) suffered the loss after lasting 3.2 innings and surrendering seven runs on five hits, walking four and striking out two.
After two innings of scoreless play, Texas got on the board in the third, recording four runs on three hits. A bunt single by senior centerfielder Brittany Chalk started the rally and a two-run home run by sophomore leftfielder Courtney Craig gave UT a 2-0 edge. Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland and junior catcher Amy Hooks reached on a pair of walks to set the stage for sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor. Taylor laced a single down the leftfield line to score Hoagland and a defensive miscue by Baylor's Tiffany Wesley brought Hooks around to move the score to 4-0.
The Horns added to their lead in the fourth when junior second baseman Raygan Feight reached on a fielder's choice and Craig singled before Hoagland drilled a three-run homer to left centerfield to extend the Texas edge to 7-0.
Texas put the game away in the fifth, taking advantage of back-to-back walks by Hooks and Taylor to start the frame and loading the bases when senior shortstop Loryn Johnson reached on an error. Feight brought home the winning run when she singled through the left side to lift the Horns to an 8-0 win.
Craig headlined the offense on the night with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI, while Hoagland added a homer, two runs scored and three RBI. Hooks recorded two runs in the win after reaching on a pair of walks.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, April 17 when it travels to No. 12 Oklahoma for game one of a two-game series. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' win over Baylor improved the Horns' all-time record against the Bears to 16-10 and 10-4 in Austin.
- Blaire Luna recorded her eighth complete-game shutout of the season in the win.
- The victory was the Longhorns' eighth run-rule victory of 2010.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On Craig and Hoagland production at the top of the order: Obviously they have the ability to hit it out of the park or drop it for a bunt, so you like have having them up at the top of the lineup. Both of them were hot tonight. I thought that Courtney (Craig) made tremendous adjustments up there.
On playing more games at home and fewer midweek games: They play really, really well at home and I am pleased. I think that the fans have been great for us, and they have been energized. I do think that they recovery has been more significant, getting a little bit more downtime, and most of all, I hope that they are committing to the academic side of things because they have a little more time to commit to that when they're at home.
On the upcoming series at OU: We head up to OU, which will be quite the challenge, especially since our sophomores and freshman have not played up there. It is probably the most challenging place that we play in or out of conference, but you're going to play OU, so it is an easy motivational speech. I do not have to even give them one. They are ready. I think that they are a great club in regards to their presence and being able to go up and really wanting to play in that type of environment.
Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland
On the team's mindset: I think we focus a lot of our mindset on the small things rather than the overall outcome, taking it one pitch at a time, staying relaxed and being calm.
On the idea that the team is poised for a postseason run: We are just taking it one game at a time. Obviously we are working towards making it back to the Women's College World Series, but we are not going to jump ahead of ourselves. We just need to stay strong in the moment.
On her three-run homer in the fourth inning: I kind of went up there with a different game plan to scoot back in the box and lay off the high stuff, and I just felt that she was going to come with that change-up again. In my at-bat in the first inning, she came with a change-up and she got me looking for a strike, so I was ready for it.
Sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig
On whether she feels like she has found her groove: I am really working on trying to be consistent. I don't know that I can say that I found my groove, but I am definitely getting there. I am feeling a lot more comfortable.
On hitting coach Corrie Hill: A lot of the game is mind control. I get into these slumps, which are all in my head, and she just gets me back online. She tells me to stop thinking so much and just to go out there and have fun and play, and that is when it comes together.
