The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tulsa
No. 15 Softball downs Tulsa, 6-1
02.11.2011 | Softball
Feb. 11, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 15 Texas Softball team used a five-run fifth inning power surge and a complete-game effort by freshman righthander Rachel Fox to knock off Tulsa, 6-1, Friday night at the Texas Classic. The win improved the Longhorns to 2-0 on the season, while the Golden Hurricane fell to 1-1. UT's victory clinched the Longhorns the No. 1 seed in the bracket play portion of the tourney that begins on Saturday evening.
Fox (1-0) allowed one run, scattered four hits, fanned eight and walked two in seven innings of work, while Tulsa starter Jordan Kinard (0-1) took the loss after surrendering five runs on six hits in 5.0 innings.
The Longhorns warmed up their bats in the fifth, registering five runs on five hits to take a four-run lead. Senior second baseman Raygan Feight kicked off the rally with a double to leftfield and came around to score on a pinch-hit double by sophomore Kim Bruins. Pinch runner Brejae Washington came home as well when sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland hammered her second home run in as many days to put UT ahead, 3-1.
Texas kept its fifth-inning rally rolling with a two-out single by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor and added two more runs on senior catcher Amy Hooks' two-run homer to straightaway centerfield.
Tulsa got on the board first in the fifth when designated player Haley Henshaw led off the frame with a solo homer.
Hoagland and Hooks headlined the Texas offense with a pair of two-run homers, with Hoagland's blast extending the sophomore's hitting streak to 13 games.
Texas returns to action at the Texas Classic on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. when it takes on Northern Illinois in pool play. The Horns will meet the Huskies again in the evening's second semifinal at 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' win over Tulsa gave the Longhorns a win in the first ever meeting between the schools
- Taylor Hoagland's homer extended her current hitting streak to 13 games. She ended the 2010 campaign with an 11-game hitting streak that carried over to 2010.
- Amy Hooks' homer improved her team-best career home run total to 24, a mark which stands fourth all-time at UT.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On Kim Bruins' RBI double: I talked to Kim before the game and told her that her role is still somewhat limited. She's still working back to 100%, so we talked about how her role tonight most likely was going to be to get a pinch-hit in the seven, eight or nine spot. Obviously Tulsa was playing us tough and we were having a hard time scoring, so when we had the opportunity, it was perfect. She has been doing a tremendous job in practice, so it was great to see her step up obviously with a lot of confidence. She worked the count, was patient and delivered. I'm really proud of her, and it was good to see her get a big moment tonight.
On Rachel Fox's first outing in the circle: She was a little nervous to begin with. She was overthrowing a little bit and forcing some things, but settled in right away, let the ball move and mixed up things very well. It was a good first outing for her and I think she settled into the game very well and also did a nice job of playing chess a little bit. She countered on some things as the game went on, made some adjustments against their hitters, and had really good command down the stretch of the game.
General comments on the team performance tonight: It was also nice to get Mandy Ogle into the game, and just trying to develop that battery and get some experience there. We've asked her to stay attentive during the game, and she did a great job yesterday. Today she was absolutely ready when called upon.
Sophomore pitcher/first baseman Kim Bruins
On her pinch-hit RBI double: Earlier when the game started, they told me [Tulsa P Jordan Kinard's] windup was a little slow, but it was very deceptive because her ball came faster than what her windup looked like. So they told me to take a couple pitches, to not immediately swing at the first pitch. I kind of picked up on it and from there I was just seeing beach balls. She was fooling everyone else, but I just felt like I had to step up and it was my time. I had a 3-1 count and I was kind of nervous, but I was just trying to take deep breaths, realize what the count was, don't be too picky and not let something good go by. I just saw it. I was so pumped.
On taking advantage of the pinch-hit opportunity: It feels good when you're called upon and you get the job done. We scored a run, so I feel like that really ignited the scoring for our team.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Fox
On her first pitching outing: It was a little nerve-racking at first, but you have to work through it. I think being at this level that it's important to bounce back and see how we come together as a team. I think from my standpoint, it's definitely a learning experience and I'm so happy that I get a chance to come out here and throw. It's great.
On calming herself throughout the game: There are always nerves. This is a game of nerves and it's a game of momentum too and I think going in I told myself, "Don't psych yourself out, Rachel." This is a game I've been playing for a long time. So I think the first batter was out of the way and I was thinking let's readjust and just go at the batters. That was what coach Clark was saying, go at the batters and just play your game and I ended up doing that and it worked out well.
On how she felt once Texas took the lead: First and foremost, I'm so happy for Kim [Bruins] because she's been working so hard this fall to get back from injury. I'm just so glad that it was her to get everything going and rolling for us. As far as me being in the dugout, I have all the confidence in the world that we're going to score. I think you have to have that as a pitcher. It's good to rely on your team. When a girl hits a bomb, you tip your hat to her and then come back and play your game, and we did and that is why we won.
