The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
No. 12 Softball edges Texas State, 2-1
03.09.2011 | Softball
March 9, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The 12th-ranked Texas Softball team scored just two runs, but it proved to be enough as freshman hurler Rachel Fox fired her seventh complete game of the season as UT upended Texas State, 2-1 on Wednesday night. The victory improved the Longhorns to 17-3 on the season and dropped the Bobcats to 10-13.
Fox (7-1) notched the victory after allowing one run on five hits, walking one and fanning three in 7.0 innings of work. Texas State starter Chandler Hall (5-8) took the loss after surrendering two runs on five hits, walking three and striking out six.
Texas landed its first blow in the first inning and used a leadoff bunt single by sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland to start the rally. Hoagland advanced by stealing second and moving to third after eluding a rundown courtesy of a fielder's interference call. Junior third baseman Nadia Taylor hit into a fielder's choice with one out in the inning to score Hoagland and give UT a 1-0 edge.
The Horns added their second tally in the second by taking advantage of a leadoff double by freshman speedster Brejae Washington. On the next pitch she stole third and an errant throw by the catcher allowed her to race home and give Texas a 2-0 lead.
The Bobcats rallied for a single rally in the fifth, but it would prove to be all the offense they could muster. Shortstop Jordan Masek drew a leadoff walk to start the frame and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. A single by Hall moved her to third and an RBI fielder's choice by Haley Lemons brought her home.
Texas returns to action on Thursday, March 10 when it plays host to No. 25 Houston at McCombs Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the game being close tonight: Actually, I love that it was tight. We had a tight game with LSU last Sunday, and we didn't get the outcome. We talked about it after the LSU loss and thought we could have managed some moments better, especially for some of our younger athletes. And sometimes when you try to simulate that in practice, it is difficult. You need a big atmosphere, and we had it again tonight, the crowd was great. We had some big moments when our back was against the wall. And I thought we managed the moments, not that we got a lot of different outcomes, but I thought our approach was better, and we were more relaxed. I think you have to credit [Texas State pitcher Chandler] Hall. She did a nice job, she made adjustments about halfway through the game. It is like playing chess, we had to make adjustments, shorten up, and try to make some good things happen in the sixth inning. We were happy to get the win tonight.
On if the lack of hitting is troubling: No, I think we look more at the approach. I don't think you can get consumed by that. It is kind of like batting average. We're looking at other numbers like on-base percentage. Obviously, I think early we were taking a lot of pitches, got better looks, got some free passes to get on, that is usually our MO. I think we got over-anxious when [Hall] went do the drop-ball, and we had to make some adjustments. We were a little more patient in the sixth. But, we can't get over-consumed with that. I told our team we need to learn how to get the win, and I thought managing the moments was better. And we just want to keep getting better. And I thought we were better in that same environment coming off of Sunday and comparing that to today, and that is what we're looking for.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Fox
On if this series is becoming a rivalry: It is an in-state rivalry, and with Texas State being so close to us here in Austin, they have a lot of fans here, we have a lot of fans here, this house is packed and the atmosphere is good. It is always a good game here when they come and play us, but we were just a little bit better tonight. We executed when we needed to and pushed the runs across.
On getting the hits when they were needed: We were able to manage the moment. We were able to push the runs across when we had runners on. Coach Clark talks about managing the moment, and whenever we had people in position to score, we were able to the job. The bunting was really good tonight, we were able to execute and get our balls down. The umpire was squeezing a little bit, they were making things happen, but the moment we had runners on, we were able to compose ourselves, stay in the ballgame and that was great.
Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington
On her steal of third and then coming across to score: I was given a steal, and [the coaches] tell me that whenever there is a passed ball, I have the speed to get up and continue on the next base, so that was my objective.
On her run being the game changer: Me getting on base is always crucial defensewise, because it can lead to errors. With my speed it is kind of hard for them to make plays, so for me to be able to do my job and get on base and steal and make that happen, it does a lot for the team. I know we weren't able to score after that, but we were able to hold them.
