The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
No. 3 Softball completes sweep of Iowa State, 6-1
04.17.2011 | Softball
April 17, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The third-ranked Texas Softball team used a three-hit, three-runs scored effort by freshman shortstop Taylor Thom to remain unbeaten in Big 12 play and complete the two-game sweep of Iowa State, 6-1, Sunday afternoon. The Longhorns' victory improved UT to 37-4 on the year and 9-0 in Big 12 action, while the Cyclones fell to 19-19 overall and 17-8 in league play.
Freshman righthander Rachel Fox (16-1) earned the victory for the Horns, throwing a complete-game, three-hitter, allowing one unearned run, walking three and fanning five. Iowa State starter Rachel Zabriskie (12-13) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out two in 5.0 innings of work.
Thom headlined the Horns' attack with a solo homer, two singles, a pair of stolen bases and three runs scored. Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington was 2-for-3 on the day with two runs scored, a stolen base and her Big 12-leading fifth triple.
Texas got on the board in the first with back-to-back RBI singles by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor and sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt. The pair of singles scored Washington who singled and junior first baseman Lexy Bennett who drew a one-out walk.
The Horns tacked on two more runs in the second, taking advantage of a leadoff single by Thom and Washington's RBI triple to take a three-run edge. Washington raced home on Bennett's sacrifice fly to give the Horns a 4-0 lead.
Thom's ninth homer of the year in the fourth widened the margin to five and a sixth-inning pinch-hit RBI single by sophomore Kim Bruins capped the scoring at six.
Iowa State pushed its only run across in the fifth when rightfielder Anna Cole reached on an error to lead off the frame and scored on second baseman Erin Johnson's RBI double.
Texas returns to action on Tuesday, April 19 when it plays host to UT Arlington. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-MATCH NOTES
- The victory improved Texas' all-time record against Iowa State to 33-1 and 15-1 in Austin.
- Brejae Washington's second-inning triple was the 15th of the year for the Longhorns and tied the UT single-season record that has been recorded twice.
- Washington's two-hit effort marked her 12th-multi hit game of the season, while Taylor Thom's three-hit effort was her ninth multi-hit game of the year.
- Texas' 37-4 start is its second-best start in program history, only trailing its 38-4 start in 2006.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On getting runs on the board early: I thought it was a good win. I don't think the score indicates that we had to work on some things. I thought our energy waned a little bit, but it is good to get the win. We talked about that, and that you have to be ready to go and keep the energy up.
On the defensive plays: Really nice job, and we talked about that too in the locker room. There were some phenomenal defensive plays, especially early in the game. I think that took the wind out of Iowa State. But there were a couple routine plays that we didn't make in the game, and you don't want to extend your innings or extend outs for your opponents. That is something about the energy and the focus. There were some good things and we'll keep working on the little things that we need to.
On Rachel Fox: She did a nice job. She really had to grind out a few things, and work on some mechanical things, which isn't real typical for Fox. I was proud of her. Not every outing is easy, and I think she really had to work through some things today, and she got better in the second half of the game. She was solid for us.
Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington
On the importance of this weekend: That is always important. We are looking forward to trying to win the Big 12 this year, so staying undefeated and not dwelling on the loss earlier this week was key. Coming back and being able to battle with Iowa State was important for us today.
On the defense today: I'm just always on my toes, so when a ball is hit to me, you just have to make that play and step up and do what you have to do.
Freshman shortstop Taylor Thom
On today's game: I just think everybody was excited about today, it is a beautiful day to be able to play softball. Everyone just came out, fired up and ready to play.
On the importance of getting runs on the board early: We always want to get the momentum first off. Coming out ahead, and just taking momentum and never letting go is a good feeling.
On the importance of this weekend's series: We definitely wanted to come back strong this weekend. After the game against SFA, we all had in our minds that we weren't going to lose again, and we were ready to go out at it hard.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Fox
On today's game: I think it was a good win for us being here at home and it's another Big 12 victory for us. We have a couple non-conference games this week, so we can keep working on Texas Softball and improving each and every day.
On the early runs: That is always so good for a pitcher when you can just rely on your bats and your defense. They made some really great plays today, and just getting out early on the board gives us the momentum and we just keep it going on from there.
On the defense's play today: That is a pitcher's dream. The catch that [Taylor] Thom made got me so pumped up, and she did a great job. It is so relaxing for me to be able to rely on them.
On the Big 12 winning streak: We take each game day-by-day and pitch-by-pitch. I think the SFA game was a reality check, that anybody can fall, and we are just going to stand tall, start a new streak and keep going from there.
