The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UTSA
Softball Tops UTSA 15-0
02.10.2012 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2012
Box Score | Box Score 
AUSTIN, Texas -- Sophomore Rachel Fox tossed a complete-game shutout and senior Lexy Bennett went 3-for-4 with four RBI to pace the No. 18/19 University of Texas Softball team to a 15-0 five-inning victory against UTSA on the second day of action at the Texas Classic Friday night at Red and Charline McCombs Field.
The Longhorns (2-0) scored all 15 of their runs with two outs, and their 19 hits were one shy of the school single-game record. UTSA dropped to 0-2 on the year.
Fox (1-0) allowed just three hits in her 5.0 innings of work, striking out six and walking two. Alyssa Vordenbaum (0-1) took the loss for UTSA, tossing the first 1.2 innings and surrendering 12 runs (five earned) on 14 hits. Katy Akins worked the final 2.1 innings for the Roadrunners, allowing three earned runs on five hits.
Texas jumped on UTSA early by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. With two outs and no runners on base, Bennett started the rally with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Courtney Craig followed with an RBI single to plate Bennett with the game's first run. After a Nadia Taylor infield single put runners on the corners, Taylor Thom delivered an RBI single to score Craig. Torie Schmidt reached on an infield single to load the bases, and Mandy Ogle delivered a two-run single to plate Taylor and Thom and give the Horns a 4-0 cushion.
UT blew the game open with eight runs on seven hits in the second. Again with two outs and no runners on base, Bennett started the damage with a solo home run to left field. After Craig singled and Taylor reached on an infield error, Thom brought home both with a two-run double to increase the margin to 7-0. Schmidt followed with an RBI single to score Thom. After an Ogle single, Karina Scott hit an RBI single to plate Schmidt. Hoagland closed out the scoring in the frame with a three-run homer to left field to give Texas a 12-0 lead.
The Horns added three runs in the fourth, again all coming with two out. Schmidt and Ogle led off the frame with back-to-back singles. After the next two batters were retired, Brejae Washington reached on an infield single. Bennett cleared the bases with a three-run double to close out the scoring.
In addition to Bennett's solid day at the plate, Schmidt went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored and Ogle went 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Craig, Taylor, Thom and Scott each added two hits apiece.
Texas returns to action in its final game of round-robin play at the Texas Classic when it faces Colorado State on Saturday, Feb. 11. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Central, and the contest will be televised by Longhorn Network. The Longhorns will then play its semifinal game in the Texas Classic (opponent TBD) at 4 p.m. Central, and that contest also will be televised by Longhorn Network.
Post-Game Notes
Texas has outscored its first two opponents this season by a 38-0 margin.
UT scored all 15 of its runs with two outs.
UT's 19 hits were one shy of the school single-game record (20, twice).
Lexy Bennett recorded her 25th career home run in the second inning (tied for sixth in school history).
With four RBI, Lexy Bennett moved into sole possession of sixth place on the UT career RBI chart (105).
Rachel Fox posted her seventh career shutout.
Taylor Hoagland registered her 28th career home run in the second inning (fifth in school history).
Mandy Ogle tied her career high in hits (3-for-3) for the second straight contest.
Post Game Quotes
Senior 2B Lexy Bennett
On her team scoring all 15 runs in this game with two outs: I think as a team, everyone is going up to bat with one goal--just getting their job done. If there's not anyone on base, (we're focused on) being like a leadoff hitter again and trying to make something happen. With two outs and no one on, you want to keep the inning going and get the job done. Regardless of how many outs or how many people are on base, you want to get the runs in. If there's no one on, (we're) trying to get on base to make something happen.
On her hitting this season: I feel like I'm seeing it pretty well. I've been doing a lot extra hitting and we've been doing a lot of scrimmaging. So, I'm seeing a lot of live pitching which helps. I'm seeing a lot of different spins and different pitches, so I think I'm seeing it pretty well. I feel pretty confident.
Head Coach Connie Clark
On her team scoring all 15 runs in this game with two outs: I think that points to our mindset and what we've been trying to do. (We want to) continue to play, battle and compete. We did a pretty exceptional job at that tonight.
On pitcher Rachel Fox's performance tonight: It's still the first start for her of the season. She's got high aspirations for herself, of course. Taking the time and walking out (to the circle after the first three hitters) with Nadia (Taylor), I had her identify what her go-to pitch was here and what felt best. I asked her to give me a second one and said, "Let's get ahead and let's go back to work." I think she was actually ahead on everybody else except one hitter for the rest of the game on the first pitch. She just got in her usual attack mode. She's usually very competitive, and I don't think she was as competitive on the initial three hitters. She settled in and turned in a great performance.
