The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Louisville
No. 15 Softball downs Louisville, 6-2, in season opener
02.10.2011 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- The 15th-ranked Texas Softball team used a complete-game 13-strikeout outing by sophomore righthander Blaire Luna and a three-hit effort by junior first baseman Lexy Bennett to down Louisville, 6-2, Thursday night in its season opener.
Luna (1-0) notched the 29th complete game of her career as she kicked off the Texas Classic with a victory. She allowed two runs on four hits, walked three and fanned 13 in 7.0 innings of work. Louisville starter Tori Collins (0-1) suffered the loss, lasting just 2.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.
The Longhorns broke a scoreless tie in the third when sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland led off the frame with a solo home run to deep left centerfield. Bennett followed Hoagland with a long-ball of her own that easily cleared 21st Street beyond the leftfield wall.
Texas added to its 2-0 lead in the fifth, using a leadoff double by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor to start the rally. A single to right center by junior catcher Amy Hooks moved Taylor to third before she came home on a wild pitch. Hooks came around to score later in the frame when sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt registered an RBI single that widened the UT edge to 4-2.
Louisville got on the board in the sixth, taking advantage of a one-out single by Katie Keller to get things going and a two-run homer by Maggie Ruckenbrod to shrink the UT margin to two.
The Horns answered in the bottom of the sixth, plating two runs to reclaim its four-run cushion. Hoagland drew a walk to start the rally and Taylor and Bennett followed with a pair of singles to load the bases. Hoagland raced home on a wild pitch before designated player Shelby Savony drew a base-loaded walk that allowed Bennett to score.
Bennett and Taylor headlined the offense with a pair of 3-for-4 performances in the win. Bennett added two runs scored and an RBI to her stat line, while Taylor scored once. Hooks posted a two-hit effort that included two walks and a run scored.
Texas resumes play on Friday, Feb. 11 at the Texas Classic when it plays host to Tulsa. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The win improved Texas all-time record against Louisville to 1-1.
- Blaire Luna's complete game victory marked her 31st career win and her 29th career complete game.
- Taylor Hoagland's homer in the third extended her hitting streak to 12 games. She ended the 2010 campaign riding an 11-game hitting streak.
- Amy Hooks' two-hit effort was her team-best 31st multi-hit game of her career.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark On the mindset going into the game: We just wanted to look at how we were going to compete. Our motto was, 'Get to the next pitch.' We told the newcomers that we weren't worried tonight about how many mistakes they were going to make. There are always first game jitters. What was more important was how each of them rebounded on the field. We did a really nice job in that regard.
On the freshmen: They are going to be a big contributing factor. I think what I was most proud of was Taylor Thom's performance. She struggled a little bit at the plate, but she did not let the offensive side of the game affect her. That was a mental approach I was happy to see.
On the momentum of the third inning: Anytime you have two home runs it certainly helps the team overall. This team feeds off of the momentum of each other. And as a consequence, they allow their successes to snowball.
On Lexy Bennett's performance: It is par for the course. She is so consistent performer on both sides of the ball. She is tremendous and will be an anchor for us this year.
JUNIOR 1B Lexy Bennett On her home run: Hitting is not easy to do on a night when it is freezing. Your hands hurt, even if you hit the ball just right. But I blocked all that out, went up to the plate determined and the ideal outcome came.
On her performance overall: Some of the pitches I selected probably weren't the best pitches, I think I got a little excited. But for our first game back, in freezing weather, I think our entire team played very well.
SOPHOMORE P Blaire Luna On her sentiments after Louisville's home run: I honestly didn't worry too much. I knew I had to just relax and focus on the next pitch. That was the only way I was going to be able to battle back. I couldn't get upset about it. I had to just focus on what I was going to do next.
On her night overall: I felt really good. I think I just need to get a little more comfortable and regain my confidence.
