The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
No. 12 Softball downs Iowa State, clinches share of Big 12 title
05.02.2010 | Softball
May 2, 2010
AMES, Iowa -- The No. 12 Texas Softball team captured at least a share of the Big 12 Championship with its 10-2 run-rule victory over Iowa State, Sunday afternoon. The Longhorns claim their fourth Big 12 title under head coach Connie Clark and their first since 2006.
The win improved Texas to 40-10 on the year and 13-2 in Big 12 play, while Iowa State fell to 25-27 and 3-13 in conference action.
Softball becomes the sixth UT program during the 2009-10 athletics season to capture a Big 12 Conference championship, joining Volleyball, Football, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis and Rowing.
Freshman righthander Blaire Luna (27-6) earned the complete-game victory for the Horns after allowing two runs on five hits and fanning seven. Iowa State starter Tori Torrescano (4-7) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out two.
For the second-straight game, Texas used a three-run home run by junior catcher Amy Hooks to grab a quick 3-0 edge in the first inning. Freshman rightfielder Taylor Hoagland started the rally with a single through the left side and sophomore first baseman Lexy Bennett drew a walk to set the table for Hooks.
Iowa State narrowed the margin to 3-1 in the second when Torrescano helped her own cause with an RBI single down the leftfield line.
Texas answered promptly in the third, using a solo home run to right centerfield by Taylor Hoagland to extend the lead to 4-1.
In the fourth, senior shortstop Loryn Johnson led off the frame with a single to leftfield and pinch runner Torie Schmidt came around to score on an RBI double by junior second baseman Raygan Feight.
The Longhorns added to their lead in the fifth, taking advantage of five hits and one ISU error to balloon their lead to 10-1. Hoagland led off the frame with a bunt single and Bennett followed with a single to centerfield. A double steal and a Cyclones throwing error allowed Hoagland to score and a wild pitch advanced Bennett home. Hooks and sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor kept the rally going by drawing back-to-back walks.
A groundball double-play erased Hooks, but an RBI single by junior pinch hitter Shelby Savony allowed Taylor to come home. Feight doubled to move Savony to third base and a two-run double by sophomore leftfielder Courtney Craig scored both runners and pushed the UT lead to 10-1.
Hoagland headlined the Horns' attack on the day with three hits, three runs scored and an RBI, while Bennett added two hits and two runs scored.
Texas returns to action on Thursday, May 6 when it travels to Baylor for its Big 12 finale. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas has now won four Big 12 Championships (2002, 2003, 2006 and 2010) in its 14 years of varsity softball, tying Oklahoma for most Big 12 titles won.
- Texas' win improved the Longhorns' all-time record against the Cyclones to 31-1 and 12-0 in Ames.
- Amy Hooks' three-run homer in the first inning was her ninth of the season and the 21st of her career, moving her into a tie for fourth-place all-time in career home runs at Texas. Hooks shares the spot with Jodi Reeves (1997-2000).
- Lexy Bennett's two-hit outing marked her 12th multi-hit game of 2010.
- Taylor Hoagland's three-hit performance was her 13th multi-hit game of the season.
- Amy Hooks' three-RBI effort was her team-best 11th multi-RBI game of 2010.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On winning at least a share of the Big 12 title: I am proud of our entire team, but it really stands out for me for the seniors. I vividly remember sitting down with some of our seniors last summer and they talked about wanting to put this team on their backs and staying focused on trying to win a couple of championships this season. I'm very excited for them because I know it is a special feeling for them in particular.
On the team's hot hitting down the stretch: The offense has been having great at-bats, staying pitch-to-pitch and they have been making great adjustments. We have gotten to other team's bullpens a lot this year and when you do that you have to continue making adjustments. We have continually had a lot of good chatter going on in the dugout with our hitters helping one another with their at-bats. They are seeing the ball extremely well and their patience has been significant for us. We have become more patient and drawn more walks in the second half of the season and that has been a big difference maker for us.
On the keys to Texas' success in its Big 12 title run: Certainly, Blaire Luna has been significant as she has thrown every conference game up to this point. I think Blaire deserves a big part of the credit. I also think that Amy Hooks has really come into her own with regard to calling a great game and helping bring Blaire along. The senior leadership has also been very key with them having the mindset to put the team on their backs. It has also been important for us to have a lot of willing underclassmen that have bought in. This team has had as good of a team feel as we have ever had. I think that is one common thing that has been talked about since day one. It has been a collaborative effort and it will continue to be as we head towards the postseason.
