The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma State
Fox and potent offense pace No. 8 Softball past No. 18 Oklahoma State, 10-0
04.03.2011 | Softball
April 3, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - The No. 8 Texas Softball team used a complete-game shutout effort by freshman righthander Rachel Fox and a 10-run, 13-hit offensive explosion to complete its two-game sweep of No. 18 Oklahoma State, 10-0, Sunday afternoon. The win extended the Longhorns' winning streak to 15 games and kept UT in first place in the Big 12 standings. Texas' victory improved the Horns' to 31-3 on the year and 4-0 in Big 12 action, while the Cowgirls fell to 29-9 and 1-3 in league play.
Fox (13-1) recorded her fourth shutout of the season, scattering three hits and fanning four in 6.0 innings of work. Oklahoma State starter Kat Espinoza (15-4) took the loss after surrendering eight runs on 10 hits, walking three and striking out four in 5.0 innings.
Junior first baseman Lexy Bennett once again headlined the offense with two hits, four RBI and two runs scored. Freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington helped the Horns' cause with three runs, two walks, a hit and an RBI.
Texas jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, using back-to-back singles by sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland and Washington to set the table. On Washington's bunt single an OSU error allowed Hoagland to come all the way around to score. Junior first baseman Lexy Bennett followed with a two-run homer to right centerfield to extend the Longhorns' lead to three at the end of one.
In the third, the Horns tacked on another run, utilizing a leadoff walk by Washington and a stolen base to put a runner in scoring position. Junior leftfielder Torie Schmidt's RBI infield single later in the frame allowed Washington to race home and extend the UT edge to 4-0.
The Longhorns added another run in the fifth, mounting a two-out rally with a single by Hooks and a walk by junior third baseman Nadia Taylor. Schmidt added her second RBI single of the day to score Hooks and push the Texas advantage to five.
Texas exploded for five runs on five hits in the sixth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate to move the lead to 10-0. Pinch hitter Kim Bruins was hit by a pitch to start the frame before freshman shortstop Taylor Thom and Hoagland followed with consecutive singles to load the bases. Washington reached on an RBI fielder's choice to continue the threat and a two-run single by Bennett ballooned the Horns' lead. A pair of RBI singles by Taylor and freshman designated player Karina Scott capped the scoring with Texas leading by 10.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 6 when it plays host to Texas A&M in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- The win improved Texas' all-time mark against Oklahoma State to 22-10 and 8-4 in Stillwater.
- The Longhorns are off to a 31-3 start which is their best start since starting the 2006 season 38-3.
- Lexy Bennett has now homered in each of her last three games
