The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UT Arlington
No. 5 Softball rolls past UT Arlington, 8-0
04.19.2011 | Softball
April 19, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The fifth-ranked Texas Softball team used a two-homer, four-RBI performance by junior designated player Courtney Craig as it cruised past UT Arlington, 8-0, Tuesday night in a run-rule victory. The win improved the Longhorns record to 38-4, matching the best start in program history from 2006.
Sophomore All-America pitcher Blaire Luna's (22-2) Big 12-best 13th complete-game shutout of the season dropped the Mavericks to 29-17 on the year. She allowed one walk and two hits in the win, while fanning 10 in 6.0 innings of work. UTA starter Callie Collins (17-7) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs on four hits and walking three in 0.1 innings of work.
Craig headlined the Horns' lineup in the victory, going 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored. Her two-homer effort was the second of her career and moved her into a tie for the sixth on the UT career home run list with 21. Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington added to the attack with two hits, two runs scored, an RBI and a solo blast. Senior catcher Amy Hooks' first-inning long-ball was the 32nd of her career, moving her into a tie for second place in the UT career record books with Tallie Thrasher (2007-10).
In the first Texas sent nine batters to the plate, taking advantage of four hits and three walks to claim an early 6-0 edge. Washington kicked off the scoring when she launched the first home run of her career to straightaway centerfield to get the Horns on the board. Freshman shortstop Taylor Thom followed with a walk before Hooks ripped a two-run homer to left center to push the margin to three. Junior third baseman Nadia Taylor and sophomore leftfielder Torie Schmidt added a pair of walks before Craig connected for a three-run homer to left to put UT ahead by six.
The Longhorns were held scoreless the next two frames, but Craig struck again in the third, lacing her second long-ball of the day down the left field line to widen the Texas advantage to 7-0.
Texas stranded two in the fifth after a pair of singles, but landed the knockout punch in the sixth. Washington singled with one on in the inning, advanced to second on a fielder's choice and stole third with two outs. She came home to plate the game-winning run when Taylor ripped an RBI single to right field that propelled UT to a run-rule win.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 20 when it plays host to Texas Woman's University. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' victory improved its record to 38-4, matching the best start in program history from 2006.
- The win improved Texas' all-time record against UTA to 22-2 and 17-2 in Austin.
- Courtney Craig's two-home run performance was the second multi-homer game of her career after launching a pair of dingers on March 31, 2010 against Texas State. Craig is now tied for sixth-place in the Texas career homer record books with 21.
- Amy Hooks's homer moved her into a second-place tie with Tallie Thrasher (2007-10) in the UT career record books. Hooks' 32 homers only trail former Longhorn Desiree Williams' 33 long-balls at the top of the list (2005-09).
- Brejae Washington's three stolen bases pushed her season total to 33 and moved her within two of the UT single-season record of 35 set by Shannon Thomas in 2007.
- Blaire Luna tossed her Big 12-best 13th shutout against UTA and extended her scoreless inning streak to 28.2 innings.
- Luna's win was the 52nd of her career, giving her sole ownership of fourth-place on the UT career wins chart.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On the team's offense: We talked before the game about being one big hitter down with Lexy Bennett's absence. We spoke about how it would not just require one new big hitter to step up, but for the whole team to do so. Courtney Craig kind of led the team in rising to that challenge tonight. And I was pleased with how the rest of the team responded.
On the team's defensive performance: When a team's offense puts up six runs in the first inning it is often difficult to remain focused. But the team did a nice job of maintaining that focus thoroughly from start to finish. Granted, we still have some things to work on as we head down the stretch, but they put up a great performance tonight, and I am very pleased with that.
Junior designated player Courtney Craig
On her two home runs: I've been struggling with getting hits lately. It has been a major focus of mine in practice to simply work on getting hits. A major aspect of that is forgetting my worries up at the plate, and focusing merely on having fun and relaxing. That is what I did tonight, and it paid off for me.
On the team's performance overall: It was a great night for our team. We came into the game with a well-focused mentality and a desire to win.
Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington
On her first home run of the season: Her riseball got up there just flat enough for me to get my hands up and pop it out. I was just looking for a base hit. I didn't even know it was going out until I had rounded first and was on my way to second. At best, I figured I might get a triple out of it. When I finally saw that it was going over, I was so excited.
On the offensive performance: Tonight, specifically watching Courtney [Craig] step up her offensive game really helps the rest of the team rally. She used to be one of the best hitters, and for a long while she was mentally over-thinking it. To see her loosen up, enjoy herself and walk away with two home runs definitely spurred our entire offense. She was a force that was easy to rally behind.
