The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
DePaul
No. 12 Softball rolls past DePaul, 11-3
03.17.2011 | Softball
March 17, 2011
FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 12 Texas Softball team erupted for 10 hits and took advantage of three DePaul errors as it posted a five-inning run-rule victory over the Blue Demons, 11-3, Thursday afternoon at the Judi Garman Classic. The victory improved the Longhorns to 20-3 on the season and dropped DePaul to 15-3. The Horns return to action against No. 4 Washington later Thursday with the first pitch slated for 7:30 p.m. Central.
Freshman righthander Rachel Fox (8-1) notched the victory for the Horns after holding DePaul scoreless, allowing two hits, walking zero and fanning three in 4.0 innings of work. Sophomore reliever Kim Bruins pitched the final inning allowing three runs on one hit, one walk and three hit batters. DePaul starter Kirsten Verdun (8-2) took the loss after an outing that was marred by illegal pitches. She surrendered nine runs on eight hits and walked three in 2.1 innings of action.
Texas got things going quickly in the first, sending 10 hitters to the plate and scoring six runs on five hits. Sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland and freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington reached on back-to-back bunt singles to start the frame and after a double steal both runners moved into scoring position. An error on a fielder's choice allowed Hoagland to score and Washington came home on an RBI single by senior catcher Amy Hooks. A pair of illegal pitches and an RBI single by Torie Schmidt scored Hooks. UT plated its final two runs on a two-run double by freshman shortstop Taylor Thom.
The Horns added two runs in the second when Hooks and junior third baseman Nadia Taylor drew consecutive two-out walks. Hooks came all the way around courtesy of an illegal pitch and two wild pitches, while Taylor advanced on a wild pitch and an illegal pitch before Schmidt's RBI single brought her home to push the tally to 8-0.
Hoagland blasted her seventh homer of the year in the third and a bunt single, illegal pitch and DePaul error allowed Washington to score and expand the lead to 10.
In the top of the fifth, DePaul used a walk and three hit by pitches, including one with the bases loaded to spark its rally. An RBI single by Bree Brown plated the second run and a sacrifice fly on a foul ball by Verdun narrowed the margin to 11-3.
Thom led off the Texas fifth with her second double of the day to set the table for the Horns. She quickly moved to second on a wild pitch and raced home to end the game on Washington's RBI fielder's choice.
Hoagland and Washington shined in the win with two hits and two runs scored apiece, while Schmidt and Thom each registered two hits, two RBI and one run scored.
