The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Houston
Luna leads No. 12 Softball past No. 25 Houston, 4-1
03.10.2011 | Softball
March 10, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The 12th-ranked Texas Softball team used a complete-game three-hit outing by sophomore All-America pitcher Blaire Luna to edge No. 25 Houston, 4-1, Thursday night at McCombs Field. The victory improved the Longhorns to 18-3 on the year and 12-0 at home, while the Cougars fell to 16-6.
Luna (11-2) notched the win after allowing one run on three hits, walking one and fanning 10 in 7.0 innings of work. Houston starter Amanda Crabtree (10-2) took the loss after giving up four runs (two earned) on three hits, walking four and striking out seven in 6.0 innings.
Houston pushed their only run across in the first when leadoff hitter Holly Anderson touched Luna for a solo homer to right centerfield to give UH a quick lead.
The Horns went down in order in the first three frames before taking advantage of three hits and two errors in the fourth. Sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland led off the frame with a double off the left centerfield wall and advanced two bases and scored on a throwing error on centerfielder's Brejae Washington's bunt attempt. A single by junior first baseman Lexy Bennett moved Washington to third and a walk by senior catcher Amy Hooks loaded the bases.
With the bases loaded, Crabtree recorded her first out, but sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt followed with a two-run double to right centerfield that gave UT a 3-1 edge. The Cougars recorded their second out before a second error of the inning allowed Hooks to score from third and cap the scoring at four.
Schmidt headlined the Horns' offense on the night with her two-RBI effort, while Washington and Hooks were the only Texas players to reach base twice, each recording a pair of walks.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, March 16 when it travels to Long Beach State. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Central
Head coach Connie Clark
On Blaire Luna's pitching performance tonight: I think it was really just one pitch. That's one thing we talk about. I love that she didn't let just one pitch effect her. It was a one ball-no strike count and she came over the plate and tried to get a strike. You have to tip your hat to the hitter on that, but it didn't effect her at all. She really turned it on and had a tremendous ball game tonight. I was really pleased with her presence throughout the game.
On hitting adjustments made the second time through the lineup: We were chasing the low outside stuff. We just needed to shorten up and square it around, try and track the ball a little bit better. Typically when we do that it gives the hitters confidence to be able to put the ball in play. We did that and some good things happened. The bunts were significant for us tonight. They didn't field those very well and the short game was where we needed to go tonight. It's nice that we can capitalize on that and be able to take advantage of that when we need to.
On Torie Schmidt's bases-loaded double: She had a slight injury in the LSU game and wasn't able to go last night on the start. The trainers were able to get her ready to go and she was feeling good today. It's nice to see somebody work that hard to get back in the lineup and then come up with that big hit. She's been on fire for us and seeing the ball really well and had a great at-bat.
Sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt
On her double in the fourth inning: My first at-bat I kind of swung at pitches outside of the zone. I talked to Coach (Corrie) Hill about it and she told me to just be more patient and wait for my pitch and that's what I did. I waited for one that was inside the zone and I made contact on it. I just told myself to relax, take deep breaths and stay calm.
On hitting adjustments made the second time through the lineup: I feel like we were a little aggressive and for me, I was swinging at pitches outside of the zone. We started tracking the ball more and seeing pitches better and I think that really helped.
Sophomore pitcher Blaire Luna
On staying focused after giving up a leadoff home run: It definitely made me refocus. I had to bounce back and not let it get to me, which is what I did. We have practiced being able to come back and go to the next pitch and not over-think.
On Texas' four-run fourth inning: I think going through the lineup a second time, the team has a little more information and they were able to come through.
