The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
New Mexico
No. 12 Softball downs New Mexico, claims Judi Garman Classic crown
03.20.2011 | Softball
March 20, 2011
FULLERTON, Calif. - The No. 12 Texas Softball team downed New Mexico, 3-2 Sunday morning to pick up its fifth victory of the weekend to win the Judi Garman Classic. The Longhorns were the only team to post an unbeaten mark at the tourney, improving to 24-3 overall, while the Lobos dropped to 12-14.
Freshman righthander Rachel Fox (10-1) earned the complete game victory after scattering six hits, allowing two runs, walking one and fanning six in 7.0 innings of work. New Mexico starter Kari Gutierrez suffered the loss after surrendering three runs on 11 hits, walking two and striking out four in 7.0 innings.
Freshman shortstop Taylor Thom headlined the Texas offense, hammering the game winning two-run double in the top of the sixth. Her two-RBI outing was her fifth consecutive multi-RBI game. Sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt bolstered the Horns' attack with two hits in the victory, marking her fifth-straight multi-hit game.
Texas got on the board quickly in the first, claiming an early 1-0 advantage. Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second as sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland was hung up in rundown. Washington advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on an RBI single by junior first baseman Lexy Bennett. Texas followed with two more singles to load the bases with one out, but left the bases full to end the frame.
In the fifth, New Mexico took advantage of three hits, an error and a good break on a call to forge ahead 2-1. Shenise Cox recorded an infield single to start the inning after a tremendous diving catch by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor was overturned. An RBI double by Cassandra Kalapsa evened the game at one and a throwing error on Kerry Hodgins' single put the Lobos in front, 2-1.
Texas responded immediately, using three hits in the top of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Schmidt led off the frame with an infield single and moved to third on senior pinch hitter Shelby Savony's double down the rightfield line. A two-run double down the leftfield line by Thom scored both runners and put UT back ahead by one.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, March 23 when it hosts a doubleheader with Texas A&M Corpus Christi. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. Central.
