The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas Woman's
No. 5 Softball shuts down Texas Woman's, 3-0
04.20.2011 | Softball
April 20, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The fifth-ranked Texas Softball team is officially off to its best start in program history, extending its record to 39-4 with a 3-0 victory over Texas Woman's, Wednesday night. Junior designated player Courtney Craig headlined the Horns' offense in the win, going 2-for-3 with her third homer in two days, while freshman righthander Rachel Fox was nails in the circle, notching her sixth complete-game shutout of the season.
Fox (17-1) picked up the victory in her third-straight shutout, scattering two hits, walking two and fanning nine in 7.0 innings of work. Texas Woman's starter Lizzy Kelly (10-6) took the loss for the Pioneers after allowing three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out one in the 5.2 innings.
Craig extended her season-best hitting streak to six games with her single and homer in the victory. Freshman shortstop Taylor Thom reached in all three plate appearances, recording an RBI double and a pair of walks.
TWU (25-22) gave up an early run in the first, issuing a leadoff walk to sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland to start the frame and giving up the game's first tally on Thom's double to the left field corner.
In the fourth, junior third baseman Nadia Taylor was hit by a pitch to start the inning and came around to score when senior second baseman Raygan Feight laced a two-out single off the outstretched glove of TWU shortstop Bailey Vrazel.
Texas capped its scoring at three in the sixth on Craig's solo homer to left centerfield. The roundtripper was her fourth of the season and her third in her last two games.
Texas returns to action on Friday, April 22 when it kicks off its two-game series at Texas Tech. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas is off to its best start in program history with its 39-4 start, besting the previous best start of 38-4 from 2006.
- The victory improved Texas' all-time record against TWU to 5-0 and 3-0 in Austin.
- Courtney Craig's solo homer was the 22nd of her career and moved her into sole possession of sixth place on the UT career home run list.
- Craig's two-hit effort was the 33rd multi-hit game of her Texas career.
- Rachel Fox notched her sixth complete-game shutout of the season against TWU and her third in as many starts. She is currently riding a 19.0-inning scoreless inning streak.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Connie Clark
On tonight's performance: It is always nice to get the win. We had some highs and lows on the field, however we accomplished all the goals we set out to during this game.
On Rachel Fox's effort: She played very well. She had some mechanics to work through, but she performed for us exceptionally. She will be a great asset to the defense of this team during conference.
On facing Texas Tech this weekend: We are mapping out our game plan. They are obviously a great team and a great program. They will not be taken lightly, but we are working on specific things in practice to gear up for that game, and I have confidence that we will be playing at our highest level that night.
Senior catcher Amy Hooks
On tonight's game overall: Tonight we played a lot of defense, and that was what helped us most in winning the game. Mid-week games are tough in general. We grinded through, communicated well and pulled off a win.
On facing Texas Tech this weekend: We are just going to work hard. We will look at some film, charts and try our best to play chess with their hitters. We are pretty pumped to start playing conference games. So I know we are going to be out there playing good softball.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Fox
On her performance: I had ten strikeouts, but we won this game because of the defensive game we played. The defense gave a solid performance, and that is where credit is deserved tonight.
On getting back into conference play: Our mindset is merely to take one inning at a time. We are taking nothing for granted, and not setting any goals too far out in front of us. We know how to play good softball and we know the focus it takes to maintain that level of play. Those two things will be the only true concerns for us going back into conference play.
Junior designated pitcher Courtney Craig
On the victory: Texas Woman's University gave us their all tonight. They really rose to the challenge of playing a school out of their division and gave us a ball game. Three runs isn't a lot to win a softball game by, but they were three hard earned runs both offensively, and defensively. All in all, I think we played very well tonight.
On her personal improvement at bat: The last two games have been huge confidence boosters. I have been overdue for this sort of performance for a while, and I'm just really happy to finally deliver on a level that is really helping the team.
