The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 21 Texas A&M
No. 14 Softball downs No. 21 Texas A&M, 4-1
04.21.2010 | Softball
April 21, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 14 Texas Softball team used a pair of two-run home runs by sophomores Nadia Taylor and Lexy Bennett and a pitching gem by freshman Blaire Luna to upend No. 21 Texas A&M, 4-1, Wednesday night in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown. The Longhorns win improved their lead to 9.0-to-5.0 in the Showdown standings and moved UT to 36-9 on the year and 9-1 in Big 12 play, while the Aggies fell to 35-12 and 6-5 in league action.
Luna (23-5) earned the victory for the Horns, throwing a complete game, allowing one run on four hits, walking two and fanning 14. Texas A&M starter Rebecca Arbino (18-8) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on three hits, walking two and striking out two in 5.1 innings of work.
The Aggies got on the board first, breaking a scoreless tie in the fourth when leftfielder Kelsey Spittler roped an RBI triple to right centerfield to give A&M a 1-0 edge.
Texas promptly answered, claiming a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth by taking advantage of a leadoff single by Bennett to start the rally. Taylor stepped to the plate with one out in the inning and hammered a line drive two-run home run over the leftfield wall to put the Horns in front.
The Longhorns tacked on two more runs in the sixth when freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland reached on an error to leadoff the frame and Bennett crushed a 2-1 pitch over the leftfield fence to balloon the UT lead to 4-1.
Bennett highlighted the Texas offense on the night with two hits, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Taylor's two-run homer and a single by sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig were the Horns' only other hits in the game.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, April 24 when it plays host to No. 7 Oklahoma State in game one of a two-game Big 12 series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' win over A&M improved its all-time record against the Aggies to 17-18 and 8-7 in Austin.
- Blaire Luna's victory was her 23rd of the season, moving her into a tie with teammate Erin Tresselt on the UT all-time wins list.
- The Longhorns have won their last four games and 12 of their last 13.
- The attendance of 1,268 was the largest home total for Texas this season.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On getting the win after a week off: Again, it's always nice to be at home. I think our team was ready. I guess my only concern was that we hadn't played in about a week. When you're used to playing so much you kind of wonder how that's going to show up. We had a longer practice yesterday, worked a little bit harder and longer. I thought we settled into some things tonight. I don't think we looked rusty by any means but we certainly settled into some things tonight because we hadn't played in a while.
On the team's approach to Texas A&M freshman Meagan May: We had it (in College Station) and we had it here. It's a game of chess. We talked about what she saw from Blaire last time at A&M, and she struggled against Blaire over there. Tonight she got the bat on the ball a couple times. Luckily, a couple of them were foul and then she did get a nice hit up the middle on a pretty good pitch. She's put up amazing numbers. She's a great hitter. We certainly had a plan of attack.
Sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett
On the win: I know we came out ready to beat this team because they beat us at their field, and there's always that rivalry against them. I don't think anyone is thinking it has to be one person to do it. We know it's going to take everyone. It's not just nine people. It's all 15 of us.
On A&M's numerous pitching changes: You have to stay focused. That's the hardest thing. It's kind of like being a pinch-hitter, you don't have any experience. You have to stay mentally focused.
Freshman righthander Blaire Luna
On the team's versatility: We knew it was going to be a tough game. I was hoping that we would run-rule them, but I knew A&M was going to play up. It's Texas vs. A&M, we're big rivals. We all had a lot of confidence, especially after we scored. It kind of got to me after they scored but Loryn (Johnson) just told us to do our jobs and not stress.
On pitching for the first time in a week: We had practice yesterday and I pitched to some hitters. That helped a lot. I'm always competitive.
Sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor
On the win: It feels great. (The previous game) was sitting in our stomach. We wanted to beat them bad. It was great to be on our turf and have a good win. We're focused on winning conference. That's our motivation.
On playing at home after a week layoff: Being off for four days, coming back you are amped. It was great to be in front of our fans and win for them.
